Clashes between protesters and police are taking place during demonstrations in Paris and other cities across France, as part of protests against rising prices and declining purchasing power.

Police made extensive use of tear gas and had made 166 arrests by noon. High school students, farmers, climate activists, and supporters of the “Yellow Vests” movement are participating in the protests.

Tensions in Paris flared at noon in the central Place de la République (Place de la République), ahead of the scheduled start of a large demonstration at 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Greek time).

According to reporters from the Agence France-Presse (AFP), police repeatedly used tear gas against several hundred protesters, most of whom were wearing masks and dressed in black. Some of the protesters were setting off fireworks.

166 arrests and 140 demonstrations by noon

According to sources close to Interior Minister Laurent Nunes, by noon authorities had recorded 140 demonstrations, with 32,800 people participating in the regions, while arrests nationwide had reached 166.

Dozens of arrests were made starting in the early morning hours in Paris, where there was a particularly heavy police presence, especially near iconic landmarks in the capital, such as the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.

According to the Paris police, about 100 protesters attacked the headquarters of the CNews television network, which is owned by the group of conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, throwing objects at the building’s windows.

Authorities announced 21 arrests in connection with this incident, while another 40 people were arrested in the capital, mainly for possession of protective gear or prohibited weapons.

Demonstration bans had been issued for large parts of Paris.

🇫🇷💥 FLASH | La situation se tend sur la place de la République, d’où un cortège est censé partir à 14h. Le monument a également été tagué. 📽️ @AnthoDepe https://t.co/0LXVcw1VCC

— Cerfia (@CerfiaFR) October 17, 2026

Clashes in Marseille, tear gas in Lyon

Incidents also occurred in Marseille, where protesters threw objects and police responded with tear gas. In the same city, a local police station was targeted by protesters.

Earlier, the central Prado Boulevard had been temporarily blocked with trash cans and skateboards before police dispersed the crowd.

🔴⚠️ URGENT La situation est chaotique au centre-ville de Marseille. #17octobre https://t.co/7BWDYDMIUM

— confrontation française (@confrontfr) October 17, 2026

In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse about 300 people who had gathered in front of a university, according to AFP.

Meanwhile, about 40 people attempted to block traffic on a bridge in the city, while other protesters tried to gather near an oil refinery, according to the prefecture.

🔴 🇫🇷 FRANCE URGENT Gros débordements à la Guillotière (Lyon). Tirs de mortiers, jets de projectiles, affrontements violents. Situation chaotique. À suivre. #Lyon #Guillotière #17Octobre https://t.co/HFboyrvuxJ

— Geocrises FR (@geocrises) October 17, 2026

In Toulouse, police intervened to prevent the blocking of trains and a roundabout.

In Rennes, Brittany, about 20 people set up a makeshift roadblock with trash cans near a large shopping center.

In Rouen, Normandy, a university building was damaged by a fire that broke out early in the morning and was most likely caused by arson, according to a source close to the investigation.

However, AFP reporters found that several of the blockades that had been announced did not take place, such as at the toll plaza on the Île de Ré bridge on the Atlantic coast and in Bordeaux.

The “Yellow Vests” Are Back on the Streets

Today’s protests are taking place with the primary demand being action against rising prices, at a time when rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power are fueling social discontent in France.

Also at the center of attention is the return of supporters of the “Yellow Vests” movement, which had sparked major social protests in 2018 and 2019 during Emmanuel Macron’s first presidential term, are also at the center of the issue.

The movement, which began in response to increases in fuel taxes, organized widespread demonstrations, some of which were accompanied by serious clashes, particularly on the Champs-Élysées.

The new call for protests includes blockades of roundabouts and strategic locations, and coincides with the student protests that have been taking place since mid-September, with demands for better educational conditions.

Approximately 1,500 actions, demonstrations, or blockades had been announced for Saturday across the country. According to sources at the Ministry of the Interior, approximately 500 planned actions and more than 90 planned demonstrations were expected.

Before the protests began, a police source had estimated that approximately 150,000 protesters could take part outside the Paris metropolitan area and another 40,000 in the capital.

However, the actual scale of the protests remained difficult to predict, as today marks the start of school break.

Macron Calls for Calm, Allegations of Police Violence

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking Friday from Brussels, called for calm, emphasizing that the right to protest must be accompanied by respect, without insults or vandalism.

Today’s protests are taking place following weeks of social unrest, during which serious injuries to both protesters and police officers have been reported.

The French police have faced criticism for their handling of previous protests, while the relevant internal affairs agency is investigating at least 24 complaints of police violence.

Among the incidents that have sparked outrage is the injury of a 15-year-old boy, who lost his hand when a flashbang grenade exploded in his hands.

Following the incident, authorities suspended the use of such devices; however, the interior minister stated that they may be used again if necessary.

For his part, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that more than 900 police officers have been injured during the protests of the past few weeks.

Political Confrontation Six Months Before the Presidential Election

The protests are taking place about six months before the presidential election in France, during a period of heightened social and political tensions.

The government accuses the radical-left “Unbowed France” (LFI) of fueling the protests. However, the party denies the accusations.

For his part, Jérôme Rodrigues, one of the best-known figures of the “Yellow Vests” movement—who lost one of his eyes during a protest in Paris in January 2019—argued that the protests must continue.

Meanwhile, labor unions have already called on public and private sector workers to participate in a new day of protests and strikes on November 5.

Source: Proto Thema