Politics · France · 1 hr ago
France prepares for more protests over living costs and school conditions
French unions and student groups plan another protest day on Saturday, including an authorised march in central Paris.
They are protesting the high cost of living and worsening school conditions, after weeks of strikes and demonstrations.
Yellow Vests activists are calling for a separate rally near parliament despite a ban on gatherings in that area.
The movement first grew through protests against planned fuel-tax increases and is now urging what it calls “mass disobedience.”
Estimates of Thursday’s record turnout differ sharply: the CGT union put it at nearly 1.6 million, while the Interior Ministry counted 575,000.
Authorities will deploy 70,000 police and security forces nationwide, after earlier protests included clashes, looting and allegations of police violence.
The government faces pressure to address demands on wages and purchasing power, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to meet union and employer representatives on Monday.
France is preparing for another day of protests on Saturday, November 7, after demonstrations reached a record on November 5.
Trade unions and student groups have called an authorised march in central Paris over the cost of living and school conditions.
The Yellow Vests movement plans a separate rally near the Assemblée Nationale despite a ban on demonstrations in the area.
Estimates for Thursday’s nationwide protests differed, with the CGT reporting nearly 1.6 million participants and the Interior Ministry counting 575,000.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police officers and security forces would be deployed across the country.
- Who
- Trade unions and student groups, alongside the Yellow Vests movement, are organising demonstrations.
- What
- Another day of protests is planned, including an authorised march and a separate Yellow Vests rally that authorities have banned.
- When
- Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Across France, including central Paris.
- Why
- Protesters are demonstrating over the high cost of living and deteriorating school conditions, among other demands.
French authorities
Yellow Vests movement
Rally in Place de la Concorde
French authorities
Authorities have banned demonstrations in the area and are seeking to prevent a repeat of earlier rioting and looting.
Yellow Vests movement
The movement has called for its rally near Place de la Concorde to go ahead despite the ban.
The first major gathering took place, with public employees and students protesting across France.
Around 800,000 people joined marches according to organisations involved, while the Interior Ministry counted 550,000; violence and looting marked the day.
Protests reached a record, with the CGT reporting nearly 1.6 million participants and the Interior Ministry counting 575,000.
Trade unions and student groups planned an authorised march, while the Yellow Vests called a separate rally despite a ban.
- Planned protest date
- November 7, 2026
- Peak protest date
- November 5, 2026
- CGT estimate on November 5
- Nearly 1.6 million participants
- Interior Ministry estimate on November 5
- 575,000 participants
- Security deployment
- 70,000 police officers and security forces
- Yellow Vests rally location
- Place de la Concorde, central Paris
3 sources
What people are saying
We are calling for mass disobedience
If there are any rioters or looters... we'll be ready and waiting for them
The only thing that will bring the protests to an end is a response to the demands that have been put forward for several weeks by workers, civil servants, young people and pensioners