It began a few minutes after 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Cyprus time) the main protest march on the outskirts of Paris, as part of the mass demonstrations taking place again today in France, in the wake of last Saturday’s widespread clashes and looting, which led to more than 2,700 arrests.
Unions, student and youth organizations, as well as the “Yellow Vests” movement, are holding demonstrations at hundreds of locations across the country, protesting the government’s economic and education policies.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The rally in Paris was marked by confusion and anger, as police yesterday blocked the pre-agreed route, relocating the march to the city’s outskirts, far from its commercial and political centers. The authorities apparently hoped that this would keep the demonstration out of the public eye and prevent any incidents. However, the anger of citizens in France, particularly among young people, does not seem to have subsided despite last week’s violent clashes.
Watch live footage from the protests:
Many stores in Paris have been barricaded, tourist attractions have closed, and several metro stations are out of service, while strict security measures are in place. There are 70,000 police officers on duty across the country, supported by helicopters and drones. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunes, the police had made 135 arrests by 1:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. Greek time) in connection with the nationwide protests, and, referring to the march in Paris, he stated that so far, approximately 35,000 protesters have been counted, compared to 60,000 at the same time last week.
In a post on platform X, the Paris Police Department reports that its forces are “on the ground and in the air to allow protesters to safely march from Porte d’Italie to Porte de Vincennes via the Avenue des Maréchaux.”
Marches are also underway in other parts of France, particularly in Orléans, where Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is holding a party convention this weekend.
READ ALSO: 70,000 police officers on high alert in France ahead of new protests; stores have been reinforced with metal barriers
Clashes in Lyon
Clashes broke out in Jean-Masse Square, in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement, an area not covered by the ban on demonstrations. Among other things, tear gas and flashbang grenades are being used.
MANIF : Des tensions éclatent en ce moment à #Lyon, au niveau de la place Jean-Macé, après une charge des CRS et des tirs de grenades lacrymogènes. #24octobre https://t.co/o0YyEfqWzp
— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) October 24, 2026
La place Jean Macé noyée dans le gaz lacrymogène pour disperser le cortège pourtant tranquille https://t.co/1uYKYlChuR
— Lyon Mag (@lyonmag) October 24, 2026
Tear Gas in Clermont-Ferrand
Despite the ban on gatherings imposed by the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture, protesters in Clermont-Ferrand gathered in Place de la Justice in response to a call from the Yellow Vests.
However, the authorities had issued a series of administrative orders aimed at preventing disturbances of public order.
— C’est Carré
Premiers tirs de gaz lacrymogène à Clermont-Ferrand, sans sommation, à côté des bâtiments du 92e Régiment d’Infanterie
Un cortège sauvage s’est formé et déambule dans la ville, sans dégradations pour l’instant. #24octobre https://t.co/A0g7hLI4am
(@Cest__Carre) October 24, 2026
However, according to France 3, part of the march attempted to head toward the train station, where approximately 30 police officers were stationed. The first tear gas canisters were fired near the 92nd Infantry Regiment, while CRS forces—the French riot police—surrounded the crowd.
Premiers tirs de gaz lacrymogène à Clermont-Ferrand, sans sommation, à côté des bâtiments du 92e Régiment d’Infanterie #24octobre #GiletsJaunes #inflation #blocus #france #BlocusUniversités https://t.co/1G88jM38Pc
— Paultek Addicttekno Halloa (@paultek6) October 24, 2026
Tear Gas and Tension in Pau, Southern France
A similar scene was also reported in the city of Pau in southern France. Specifically, according to reports on the sudouest.fr website, approximately 5,000 protesters took to the streets despite the rain.
However, despite the peaceful atmosphere, some protesters clashed, thus marring the march.
— Cpasdeslol (@cpasdeslol_X) October 24, 2026
PAU : Les manifestants sont dispersés par les forces de l’ordre à l’aide de grenades. https://t.co/ZtMcM2YocD
Videos circulating online show students running through an arcade, while, according to the caption, police officers are using flash-bang grenades.
Source: protothema.gr/ skai.gr/ iefimerida.gr
