Prefecture and largest city of Isère, at the foot of the French Alps
France has seen a third consecutive weekend of large protests over the cost of living and school conditions, with authorities reporting about 320,000 demonstrators nationwide and 70,000 in Paris. Most marches were peaceful; clashes later erupted in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse, where police used tear gas and water cannon and arrested hundreds.
France has imposed curfews, local protest bans and increased police deployments after riots on October 17 that saw looting, arson and widespread clashes. President Emmanuel Macron has convened a defence council and blamed organised ultra-left groups for sedition. Authorities have arrested thousands and have promised a larger security operation for upcoming demonstrations.
France is moving to restrict demonstrations amid a weekend of unrest, with bans in several cities and alternative routes offered for unions to protest legally. Macron has ordered heightened security and promised calm as officials prepare for nationwide demonstrations.
Protests across France have intensified over the cost of living, education funding, and public spending. Authorities are imposing curfews, gathering bans, and increased police deployments as demonstrations widen and violence erupts in several cities.
Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets across France to protest school conditions and rising living costs. Police have arrested nearly 1,000 people and deployed about 70,000 officers; riot units have fired tear gas and used water cannon in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities. Authorities say violence was lower than last week but rights groups have criticised police tactics.