Riot police clash with school protesters, tear gas used across France

Tue Oct 06 2026 22:59:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hundreds of thousands of French students and supporters sparked protests, seeing police deploy tear gas in Paris and Marseille, while clashes erupt in Lyon and Rennes.

A nationwide wave of student protests has erupted across France, with demonstrators demanding more resources for schools and less police repression. Police forces, including riot police, clashed with protesters in Lyon, deployed tear gas in Paris and Marseille, and used water cannon in Rennes. Despite heavy police tactics, incidents have largely been contained, with the BBC's Europe correspondent Nick Beake reporting from Lille that unrest now includes university students and union members as well.

Riot police clash with school protesters, tear gas used across France

Hundreds of thousands of students and their parents marched across France, marching from Paris's Place de la République to Marseille, Rennes and beyond. The demonstrators demanded increased funding for schools and less police repression.

Students chanting in front of a city hall

Police in Lyon exchanged stabbings and a flurry of flash for a showdown, while tear gas clouds filled the streets of Paris and Marseille. Rennes saw a water cannon used against protesters, though incidents remained relatively contained compared to past unrest.

Reporting from Lille, BBC Europe correspondent Nick Beake said the protests had spread to university students and union members, reflecting wider calls for educational reform.