France protests intensify as anger grows against Macron government

As of October 28, 2026, France is experiencing widespread urban unrest following massive student-led demonstrations that began on October 17. In Paris and other cities like Marseille and Lyon, rioting has led to over 3,000 businesses being attacked or looted. The protests have spread across Europe, with students in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France participating. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu vowed a "massive" police deployment for new demonstrations planned on October 24, while the government has decided to reinforce police forces with troops due to failures in controlling last weekend's violence.

The protests have been met with significant police response, including extensive use of tear gas and batons. A notable incident involved a 14-year-old whose jaw was shattered by a tear gas grenade. UN experts have since expressed concern over the excessive use of force and the disproportionate number of arrests affecting mainly minors, which they argue deters peaceful assembly.

In Limoges, 500 to 600 ultra-left militants infiltrated a demonstration of around 5,000 people, causing significant damage. These events highlight underlying issues such as poor living conditions for workers and inadequate school facilities that students are protesting against.