France reports more than 560 arrests after third weekend of protests
The demonstrations centred on the cost of living and education.
Follow-up to: France prepares for new protests Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 16:44
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More than 560 people were arrested in France during the third weekend of protests, the authorities report. The demonstrations centred on the cost of living and education. There were also protests in Germany. It has not been confirmed whether there were demonstrations in Portugal.
According to the French authorities, about 320,000 people took part in protests across the country on Saturday. That is a government estimate; organisers cite higher figures. The demonstrations followed two previous weekends when large groups likewise took to the streets.
It is unclear how many gatherings passed without major incidents. Reports of tear gas, fires and confrontations in Paris and several other cities have not been confirmed. The authorities reported more than 560 arrests across the country on Saturday evening.
France deployed about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes. It has not been confirmed that march routes in Paris were diverted along the edge of the city to protect shops, government buildings and tourist areas in the centre.
The protest movement began with discontent among school pupils about the state of education and the resources available. Broader concerns about the cost of living and housing affordability were added to this. As a result, the protests have acquired a broader social base than the original education demonstrations.
There were also youth protests in Germany on Saturday. In Cologne, a march was ended after participants set off fireworks, threw stones and covered their faces. In Hamburg, barricades were set alight and the police used water cannon and tear gas. There were also demonstrations in Portugal and other European countries.
The new arrests mainly show that the wave of protests has not yet disappeared. In themselves, they say little about the scale of support for the movement: the French government’s estimate of the number of participants and the organisers’ estimates differ. The government faces the task of responding to concerns about prices and public services without accepting violence or destruction.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- On 31 October, protests took place in France for the third consecutive week.
- The French authorities reported more than 560 arrests and estimated turnout at about 320,000 participants.
- The demonstrations concerned the cost of living and education.
- In parts of France and Germany, police intervened after protests became disorderly.
Left
Arguments From a left-wing perspective, the protests show that high costs, housing pressures and under-resourced public services are hitting young people hard. The government should primarily invest in education and social protection and exercise restraint in repressing demonstrators.
Values Equal opportunities, affordable public services and the right to demonstrate.
Consequences Without policy changes, social discontent could grow further; heavy-handed police action could deepen distrust of the government.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that the government must investigate the underlying concerns about education and the cost of living, while also protecting public order and property rights. Dialogue, reliable figures and targeted measures are more appropriate than general promises.
Values A balance between social responsibility, the rule of law and administrative feasibility.
Consequences A combination of dialogue and limited, targeted measures could reduce escalation, but this takes time while pressure from the protests is already high.
Right
Arguments From a right-wing perspective, maintaining public order is the government’s primary responsibility. Demonstrating is permitted, but violence, destruction and attacks on officers must not, according to this perspective, be legitimised by concerns about prices or education.
Values Safety, compliance with the law and protection of citizens, shops and public institutions.
Consequences Clear boundaries and consistent prosecution could curb further escalation; an overly permissive response could, according to this reasoning, trigger new unrest.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key facts about the third day of protests, the arrests and the government’s turnout estimate are confirmed by AP and ABC. The text makes clear which figures come from the authorities and avoids unconfirmed details from the original headline.
- confirmed France reported more than 560 arrests after the day of protests. — AP and ABC report more than 560 arrests according to the French authorities. source
- confirmed The French government estimated turnout at about 320,000 participants. — ABC gives this government estimate and distinguishes it from higher estimates by organisers. source
- confirmed About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed. — ABC cites this figure with reference to the French authorities. source
- confirmed The protests centred on the cost of living and education. — AP and ABC both describe these subjects as the reason for the demonstrations. source
- confirmed There were also protests in Germany in which police intervened in Cologne and Hamburg. — AP describes the events in both German cities. source
Editor's note
The new development is the third weekend of protests and the report of more than 560 arrests. The participation figures are government estimates; organisers cite higher figures. The 27 injured officers mentioned in the Dutch headline were not independently confirmed in the public sources used and have therefore not been included.Sources
- A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe — Associated Press
- Third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe — ABC News Australia
The story so far
- Monday, 19 October 2026, 13:43 France seeks local evening curfews after riots
- Monday, 19 October 2026, 15:13 Marseille bans gatherings after violence and looting
- Monday, 19 October 2026, 15:41 French shops count cost after weekend of looting
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 16:44 France prepares for new protests
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 22:26 Protests over housing and costs spread across Europe
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 23:58 Paris bans demonstrations in parts of the city
- Sunday, 1 November 2026, 07:58 France reports more than 560 arrests after third weekend of protests (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „frankrijk protesten”
- Trouw — „frankrijk protesten”
- NRC — „frankrijk protesten”