France protests live: Over 150 people arrested in Paris as police fire tear gas at protesters
Por Holly Evans — – World RSS Feed
France protests live: Police fire tear gas and 150 arrested as widespread demonstrations turn violent
President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for ‘calm’ as police deploy tear gas and riot gear
Holly Evans Saturday 17 October 2026 13:07 BST
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Tens of thousands of protesters are expected at demonstrations across France over the cost of living and rising fuel prices.
Over 150 people have been arrested “primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear”, with police warning that enhanced checks would be in place.
A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, with police firing tear gas at protesters who had climbed on monuments.
In Marseille, trash cans have been set alight and clashes are ongoing with police, with president Emmanuel Macron appealing for “calm” and calling on demonstrators to show “respect for people and property”.
A major demonstration is scheduled in Paris for 14:00 local time (13:00 BST); with reports estimating that around 40,000 people could descend upon the city.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.
Key Points
- Widespread protests take place across France
- More than 150 people arrested by French police over violent clashes
- Emmanuel Macron appeals for ‘calm’ ahead of protests
- Police allowed to use stun grenades despite recent criticism
- Protester says they are demonstrating over ‘harsh’ cost of living
In pictures: Protestors clash with police in violent demonstrations
Harriette Boucher 17 October 2026 13:07
Paris police: ‘We do not back down in the face of rioters’
Paris police have told protestors that they will “not back down” as demonstrations erupt across the capital today,
More than 150 people have been arrested across France, with Paris police firing tear gas at protesters climbing on monuments.
“We do not back down in the face of rioters and those who come to attack the law enforcement forces,” the force wrote on X.
“On Republic, the police are targeted by hostile individuals who have come looking for a fight.
“They face it with courage and professionalism.”
Earlier this morning, police called on protestors to “express their demands calmly and in respect for public order.
“Demonstrating is a right. Disrupting traffic on public roads is not,” the force said.
Harriette Boucher 17 October 2026 12:54
Macron appeals for ‘calm’ ahead of protests
Ahead of Saturday’s protests, French president Emmanuel Macron appealed for “calm”.
He said that while he believes in the right to protest, he called on demonstrators to show “respect for people and property”.
Mr Macron is enteringthe final stretch of his presidency ahead of elections in 2027, leaving behind a polarised electorate and a badly fragmented political landscape.
A long struggle to reduce rising public debt has not impressed investors, who are ditching French bonds, driving borrowing costs to their highest levels in more than two decades.
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:49
More than 150 people arrested by French police over violent clashes
The French interior ministry has said that 166 arrests had been made across the country, while 140 separate actions involving 33,000 people had been recorded.
“The movement is marked by a very strong mobilisation of far-left elements, whose sole intent is to incite disorder,” the ministry says.
Demonstrations have involved “targeted acts of violence” from “hooded individuals” in areas like Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers, it adds.
Protesters have been accused of looting, attacking police, starting fires and targeting government institutions.
Security forces have responded “swiftly and decisively”, it says, adding: “There is a very high probability that far-left elements will attempt to escalate the situation during this afternoon’s marches.”
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:45
Protester says they are demonstrating over ‘harsh’ cost of living
Hundreds of other protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands set to participate.
Protesters in hi-vis vests blocked streets, an echo of the unrest that dogged President Emmanuel Macron’s previous term, while in Marseille, trash cans were set alight.
“We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions,” said a 19-year-old protester in Paris who gave her name as Lola.
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:40
In pictures: Clashes turn violent in Paris
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:31
Police allowed to use stun grenades despite recent criticism
The police have drawn criticism for their response due to a grisly list of injuries among demonstrators, including one adolescent who had his hand blown off after picking up a stun grenade.
Lecornu said more than 900 police had also been injured.
The internal police watchdog is investigating at least two dozen cases of alleged police violence.
France suspended the use of stun grenades for the student demonstrations, but Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said they could be used on Saturday.
“If there were to be clashes, all types of intermediate weapons can be used,” he told Telematin TV on Friday.
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:28
Paris police make 40 arrests
Police in Paris say they had already made 40 arrests by 09:30 local time (08:30 BST).
In an update on X, they said these were “primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear”.
The streets of Paris could see as many as 40,000 people turn out to demonstrate, with widespread protests also taking place across the rest of the country.
Police say “enhanced checks” are being carried out “to prevent risks and ensure everyone’s safety”.
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:22
Widespread protests take place across France
Demonstrations have began across France on Saturday in what is expected to become a major nationwide protest against high prices and the fraying of a model intended to provide a basic level of opportunity and social security.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.
A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of the two official demonstrations.
Holly Evans 17 October 2026 12:20
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