Student protests resume in France as pupils return to school

As of November 2, 2026, French high school student protesters have resumed blocking entrances to dozens of schools across Paris, Marseille, Rennes, and other cities on a smaller scale than in previous weeks after a two-week break. The protests, which began in September, continue due to the students' demands for better classroom conditions, more funding, and repairs to decrepit schools. On October 31, Sabrine Kharbach, spokeswoman for the Union Etudiante (Student Union), announced that blockades would restart on November 2 and continue on Tuesday and Thursday of that week, citing dissatisfaction with government proposals. The education minister, Édouard Geffray, warned that weeks without lessons are putting some pupils’ school year and final exams at risk.