Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
Large protests across France call for higher wages and relief from rising costs
People demonstrated across France on 5 November over wages, living costs and other concerns.
The protests included students, retirees, families and workers, with marches in cities including Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Perpignan.
The government and unions gave very different turnout estimates: the government counted 575,000 people, while the CGT union put the number above 1.5 million.
Demonstrators described struggling to afford food, heating and everyday expenses, even when they had jobs.
France’s net monthly minimum wage was €1,477, and the CFDT union said it wanted a €100 monthly increase as a starting point for talks.
The protests were described as the autumn’s largest mobilisation, reflecting anger that pay has not kept up with costs.
The available information does not say what negotiations or decisions will follow.
Protests took place across France on Thursday, 5 November, with demonstrators calling for higher wages and relief from rising living costs.
The Interior Ministry counted 575,000 demonstrators, while the CGT union reported more than 1.5 million.
The article also gives other estimates, including 600,000 from a prefecture and 1.6 million from unions.
Participants included workers, students, retirees and families, with concerns ranging from purchasing power to education and the environment.
CFDT leader Marylise Léon said the union’s starting point for discussions was a €100 monthly increase.
- Who
- Workers, students, retirees and families joined the protests; unions also took part.
- What
- Demonstrations called for higher wages and relief from rising living costs.
- When
- Thursday, 5 November 2026.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Perpignan, Lyon and Marseille.
- Why
- Protesters cited low wages, rising costs and difficulties making ends meet.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Protests
- Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Interior Ministry estimate
- 575,000 demonstrators
- CGT estimate
- More than 1.5 million demonstrators
- CFDT proposal
- €100 more per month as a starting point
- Net monthly SMIC stated in article
- €1,477
What people are saying
Our starting point for discussions is 100 euros per month, because a shock effect is really needed.
I can't survive on my salary. I don't even survive, I don't even live.
Even minced steaks have become a great luxury.
Is it normal for employees not to be able to make it to the end of the month? No, that's not possible.