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Issued on: 13/10/2026 - 20:21  Modified: 13/10/2026 - 20:21   (Reading time) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-clock)    4 min Reading time   Share (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-share)      By:  (https://www.france24.com/en/author/france-24/) (FRANCE 24) FRANCE 24       To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Accept (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-check)    Manage my choices (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-edit)      One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Try again   (Students chant slogans during a march to protest against under-resourced schools in Rennes, Brittany, on October 13, 2026)  Cover image:            Students chant slogans during a march to protest against under-resourced schools in Rennes, Brittany, on October 13, 2026.        © Jeremias Gonzalez, AP  (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play)        01:34      Tens of thousands of people joined rallies across (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/france/) France on Tuesday to support protesting high school students, boosting a movement that poses a major challenge to President (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/emmanuel-macron/) Emmanuel Macron as his term in office winds down. Some 161,500 people turned out, according to the interior ministry – more than double the 71,500 it gave for the last nationwide demonstrations on Thursday last week. Unions helping organise Tuesday's rallies put the countrywide (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261013-live-france-braces-for-fresh-nationwide-protests-over-school-conditions) turnout at 480,000 . Read more (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261013-live-france-braces-for-fresh-nationwide-protests-over-school-conditions) Live: French students ‘not giving up the fight’ as 480,000 join new day of school protests  The numbers suggested snowballing street opposition to the government just six months before France votes for a successor to Macron, who is completing his maximum second mandate. On Saturday, national demonstrations against the spiralling cost of living are to take place, and unions and student groups see the two protest currents fusing together. The agitation comes as Macron's centrist government struggles to get a cost-cutting budget through parliament, in the face of worsening debt that has spooked the bond market. Although most of Tuesday's demonstrations were peaceful, violence occurred on the sidelines of one of two marches in Paris, where the interior ministry said 41,500 people participated. AFP journalists saw some cars set on fire and police fired tear gas as masked youths tried to erect barricades across roads and threw objects. (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/tear-gas/) Tear gas was also fired during a demonstration in Lyon. Among those taking part in a demonstration in the (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/paris/) Paris suburb of Saint-Denis was Swedish activist (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/greta-thunberg/) Greta Thunberg . She said she was there because "our future is being robbed". (Swedish activist Greta Thunberg speaks with students as they prepare to take part in a blockade at the Lycee Paul Eluard in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on October 13, 2026)  Swedish activist Greta Thunberg speaks with students as they prepare to take part in a blockade at the Lycee Paul Eluard in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on October 13, 2026.        © Julien de Rosa, AFP    University students were prominent in Tuesday's demonstrations, alongside teachers and union leaders. They were also backed by far-left opposition (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/france-unbowed/) France Unbowed (LFI) party, whose chief, presidential hopeful Jean-Luc Melenchon, was seen among crowds in Paris. Dialogue, 'not repression' Thousands also marched in the cities of Nantes, (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/lyon/) Lyon , Lens, Strasbourg,  Toulouse, (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/bordeaux/) Bordeaux and (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/marseille/) Marseille , according to police and AFP reporters. "We stand in solidarity with the high schools that are worse off. We need real measures and proper dialogue, not repression," said 16-year-old Emeline, outside a Marseille school. "We're here because we really feel we're not being heard by the government," said Nina, 17. The student movement sprang up last month, with teenagers at France's lycees – high schools for those aged 15 to 18 – blocking the entrances to many schools to demand better classroom conditions. Read more (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261007-what-france-s-student-protesters-want-–-and-what-the-government-is-offering) What France's student protesters want – and what the government is offering  Perceived heavy-handed reactions from police against the students drove many to join Tuesday's demonstrations. One teen lost his hand when he picked up a police stun grenade during the protests, while another lost an eye, and another teeth when an officer fired a teargas canister in his face. Police have opened internal investigations into 34 allegations of violence against demonstrators. Some 147 teaching staff have been injured in the protests, the education ministry said. 'Not budging' "We're not giving up the fight, whether it's for the high school students who were hit with a harsh crackdown, or for denouncing police violence," said Patricia, a 20-year-old university student in Paris who did not give her last name. Some Indian tourists who wandered into the Paris demonstration said they were unnerved. "Initially we were terrified," said Snehil Jain, a 45-year-old visiting Paris for a week with his wife. "We had seen the media images of violence around these protests. But then we saw it was a peaceful protest, so we were OK then." France's education ministry said 214 schools, mostly high schools, were closed Tuesday. To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Accept (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-check)    Manage my choices (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-edit)      One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Try again   ()  Cover image:                    © France 24  (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play)        05:08   (France: Student protesters want to 'keep the pressure up on the government')     University student union l'Union Etudiante reported 90 percent of universities had closed nationwide to show support. French students say they are determined to press their demands over absent teachers, dilapidated buildings, overcrowded schedules and other grievances. They have dismissed a government pledge – made after last week's demonstrations – to send 3,000 substitute teachers to the 114 worst-affected schools. "We are continuing the blockades. We are not budging," said Naouel, a high school student in Brest. She said she hoped the protests would continue after the half-term holidays, in late October. Mariolino, a 16-year-old in Nantes, concurred. "Those who think the anger will disappear with the holidays just don't get it," he said. On Monday, Macron had urged restraint from protesters, saying the issues "deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect". (FRANCE 24 with AFP)      Read next   (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-week-in-france/20261012-france-scrambles-to-deploy-supply-teachers-but-will-it-be-enough-to-quell-student-anger) (A WEEK IN FRANCE)  (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play)      A week in France (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-week-in-france/20261012-france-scrambles-to-deploy-supply-teachers-but-will-it-be-enough-to-quell-student-anger) (France scrambles to deploy supply teachers, but will it be enough to quell student anger?) France scrambles to deploy supply teachers, but will it be enough to quell student anger?    France    (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261010-injuries-french-student-protests-draw-scrutiny-to-police-tactics) (Police officers in riot gear clash with demonstrators during nationwide protests in Paris.)   (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261010-injuries-french-student-protests-draw-scrutiny-to-police-tactics) (Severe injuries at French student protests draw scrutiny to police tactics) Severe injuries at French student protests draw scrutiny to police tactics    France          Today's top stories   (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261013-spanish-royals-visit-ceuta-amid-tensions-with-morocco-over-migrant-influx) (King Felipe VI says Ceuta is ‘inalienable’ part of Spain in landmark visit) King Felipe VI says Ceuta is ‘inalienable’ part of Spain in landmark visit   Europe     (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261013-live-france-braces-for-fresh-nationwide-protests-over-school-conditions) (French students ‘not giving up the fight’ as 480,000 join new day of school protests) French students ‘not giving up the fight’ as 480,000 join new day of school protests   Europe     (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261013-russia-pounds-ukrainian-cities-spares-energy-targets-for-first-time-since-trump-ceasefire) (Russia pounds Ukrainian cities, spares energy targets for first time since Trump 'ceasefire') Russia pounds Ukrainian cities, spares energy targets for first time since Trump 'ceasefire'   Europe     (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20261013-oil-facility-near-yemen-capital-sanaa-hit-by-saudi-arabia-houthis-say) (Oil facility near Yemen capital Sanaa hit by Saudi Arabia, Houthis say) Oil facility near Yemen capital Sanaa hit by Saudi Arabia, Houthis say   Middle East     (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261012-what-we-know-about-pope-leo-xiv-planned-lung-operation-this-week) (Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors successfully remove nodule) Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors successfully remove nodule   Europe    Includes a video  5 min      Advertising (Report this ad) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-report-ad)           Most read   1 (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20261011-riyadh-airport-strike-kills-12-saudi-arabia-threatens-decisive-response) Saudi Arabia threatens 'decisive' response after Riyadh airport strike kills at least 12    Middle East       2 (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261012-fire-burns-down-paris-s-oldest-covered-food-market) Fire destroys Paris's oldest covered food market    France    Includes a video  1 min     3 (https://www.france24.com/en/environment/20261012-el-nino-pacific-temperature-record-weather) El Nino breaks Pacific temperature record as weather pattern intensifies    Environment       4 (https://www.france24.com/en/france/20261012-adieu-aux-enfants-rouges-tears-shock-fire-destroys-paris-oldest-covered-food-market) Adieu aux ‘Enfants Rouges’: Tears and shock as fire destroys Paris’s oldest covered food market   On the ground  France    Includes a video  1 min     5 (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20261011-live-saudi-arabia-vows-decisive-response-after-deadly-houthi-strike-on-riyadh-airport) Houthi rebels claim latest attacks on Riyadh airport, following Saturday's deadly strike   As it happened  Middle East       6 (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261012-live-oil-prices-fall-after-trump-unilaterally-announces-russia-ukraine-energy-ceasefire) Russia targets Ukraine energy facilities despite Trump ceasefire announcement   As it happened  Europe         Keywords for this article   (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/french-student-protests/) (French student protests) French student protests  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/paris/) (Paris) Paris  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/education/) (education) education  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/marseille/) (Marseille) Marseille  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/emmanuel-macron/) (Emmanuel Macron) Emmanuel Macron       Happening now (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/france/) France  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/yemen/) Yemen  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/saudi-arabia/) Saudi Arabia  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/houthi-rebels/) Houthi rebels  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/aviation/) aviation    International (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/usa/) USA  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/united-kingdom/) United Kingdom  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/canada/) Canada  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/australia/) Australia  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/germany/) Germany  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/india/) India  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/netherlands/) Netherlands  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/south-africa/) South Africa  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/italy/) Italy      About France 24 (https://www.france24.com/en/about-us) Who are we?  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