In brief
On Saturday, Oct. 31, protestors across France totaled about 320,000 according to French daily Le Monde and interior ministry figures, though youth unions say the turnout approached 500,000. The demonstrations shut more than 40 metro stations in Paris and led to clashes near Porte de Charenton, where projectiles were thrown at police who used tear gas. About 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide to maintain order during the third large‑scale protest since mid‑October.
Saturday, Oct. 31, protests erupted across France, drawing roughly 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, a figure reported by the French daily Le Monde and confirmed by the Interior Ministry. The same source added that the event represented the third large‑scale protest since mid‑October.
In Paris, the Interior Ministry logged 70,000 participants by 5 p.m. local time, while youth unions and student associations claim almost 500,000 protestors nationwide, including about 200,000 in the capital. These higher figures remain unconfirmed by official sources.
Public transport was heavily impacted. Paris public‑transport operator RATP announced that more than 40 metro stations were closed on both platforms, a disruption noted by the operator’s website and reported by the newspaper.
Most marches proceeded peacefully, but dispersal in several cities triggered tensions. In Paris, clashes erupted near Porte de Charenton, the authorised endpoint of the march, when protestors threw projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas, as reported by Le Monde.
To maintain security, roughly 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed nationwide during the demonstrations, a number provided by the Interior Ministry.
