France: 106,000 protesters on fifth round, 121 arrests and clashes in Paris and Lyon

Turnout estimates split sharply

France's interior ministry put the number of people who joined protests across the country on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at about 106,000, including 24,000 in Paris. This fifth round of mobilisations drew fewer people than the previous Saturday, when the ministry counted 146,000 nationwide, among them 46,000 in the capital. The youth union alliance gave a much higher national figure of 200,000, with 100,000 in Paris. For the previous Saturday, the unions had claimed 250,000 nationwide and 75,000 in Paris. Both sides therefore report lower national turnout, but their Paris estimates are far apart.

Previous Saturday146,000

14 November 2026106,000

Previous Saturday

146000 people

14 November 2026

106000 people

Data from the article text

Clashes and arrests in Paris

Most of the Paris march reached Place de la Nation without serious incidents, according to the Paris police. Later, a small group threw objects at police, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. The Paris prosecutor's office reported 22 arrests of men and teenagers, including three minors. Some protesters tried to form a march away from the planned route and were pushed back by riot police. Based on a journalist on the scene reported by France 24, one person was injured after the dispersal.

Interior ministry24,000

Youth union alliance100,000

Interior ministry

24000 people

Youth union alliance

100000 people

Data from the article text

Journalists attacked in Lyon

In Lyon, journalists and members of a crew from the television network BFMTV were violently attacked by protesters on the sidelines of the march, and police stepped in to protect them, local authorities said. Authorities put the Lyon demonstration at 8,000 people. Its marches covered climate action and the rights of children and young people. The atmosphere was peaceful for most of the route, but tensions quickly built at the front, with minor clashes between police and demonstrators. Reports also mention incidents in Nantes.

Security deployment and police complaints

About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the country to oversee 50 to 60 planned marches. The interior ministry announced that 121 people had been arrested nationwide by 18:00 Greek time. The ministry also said more than 160 investigations had been opened into complaints of police violence linked to the protests, with complaints dating back to September. Reports describe this turnout as the lowest the authorities have recorded in recent weeks of mobilisations.

What the protests are about

The demonstrations are tied to the rising cost of living and to demands for better conditions in schools, according to NEWS 24/7. The Paris march began in a peaceful climate, but tensions escalated toward its end, when clashes broke out between protesters and police.