France deploys 70,000 police and closes Paris museums ahead of protests

France will deploy about 70,000 police nationwide and close major Paris museums Saturday to prevent a repeat of last week's violent protests, which included looting and unrest. The demonstrations began over high school learning conditions and have expanded due to anger over the rising cost of living. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of officers, helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. The Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais are closed, and Art Basel canceled its weekend program. Around 3,000 shops were damaged or looted last week, prompting Parisian shopkeepers to board up their businesses. Protest marches are planned in Paris and Marseille, while rallies in Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier have been banned, drawing criticism from trade unions. President Emmanuel Macron, facing low popularity, defends the measures as necessary. The movement began last month over staff shortages in schools and has grown into broader protests ahead of next spring's presidential election.