French protests on October 24: scattered clashes, mostly peaceful marches

Tens of thousands protested across France on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the second act of the cost-of-living movement, with marches largely peaceful but marred by isolated clashes, a sharp contrast to last week's violence. Authorities deployed a heavy security presence after last Saturday's riots and looting. Unions reported 800,000 protesters nationwide, including 250,000 in Paris, while police cited 110,000 in the capital and the interior ministry counted 410,000 total. Around 1,000 people were arrested, more than double last week. Clashes occurred in Marseille, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes, and Bordeaux, where protesters entered the Palais de la Bourse. In Toulouse, one protester was seriously injured by a grenade. Many marches, including in Paris, Bordeaux, and Rennes, had been officially banned.