French protests over prices draw 800,000 nationwide

More than 800,000 people protested across France on October 24, 2026, against rising prices, with authorities deploying heavy security to prevent a repeat of recent violence. Paris police estimated 110,000 marchers in the capital, while unions claimed 250,000. Nationwide, union figures cited 800,000 participants, versus the Interior Ministry's estimate of 410,000. Violence was reduced compared to the prior week, though sporadic clashes occurred in Nantes, Lyon, and Marseille, leading to 135 arrests by early afternoon. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes, up 10,000 from October 17, when riots caused hundreds of millions in damages. Paris rerouted the permitted march away from commercial areas, closed metro stations and museums, and imposed curfews until October 26. Unions criticized restrictions as infringing free expression. Inflation, especially fuel costs since February's Middle East war, fueled discontent, with leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon vowing weekly protests unless President Macron addresses grievances.