Thousands take to the streets across France despite sweeping protest bans and the deployment of 70,000 police officers, while demonstrators in Tirana clash with security forces amid reports of rubber bullets being fired

France faced another day of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, 24 October, as thousands of protesters marched against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services, with clashes reported in Lyon, Limoges, Nantes, Marseille, Lille and Bordeaux. Meanwhile, fresh confrontations between demonstrators and police were reported in the Albanian capital, Tirana, where anti-government protests have continued for nearly two weeks.

The French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the rioting and looting that swept several cities on 17 October. By early afternoon, 135 people had been arrested nationwide, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, although the main demonstration in Paris initially proceeded peacefully.

The unrest has unfolded against a tense political backdrop, following Friday’s suspected racist shooting in Trappes, west of Paris, which left one person dead and four injured, including a 12-year-old girl. In Orléans, meanwhile, thousands joined an anti-fascist demonstration as the far-right National Rally held its party congress.

Morning: France placed under unprecedented security measures

From early Saturday morning, French police established security cordons, conducted searches and enforced restrictions on demonstrations in numerous cities.

In Paris, many shops boarded up their windows, while major cultural institutions, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Paris Opera, closed as a precaution. More than 20 Metro stations were also shut, disrupting transport across the capital.

According to Reuters, soldiers were deployed to patrol the Champs-Élysées, while the authorities used armoured vehicles and specialist police units as part of the security operation.

Demonstrations were restricted or prohibited in several locations, including parts of Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux and Limoges. Trade unions and opposition politicians criticised the measures, arguing that the authorities were restricting the right to peaceful protest.

Late morning: Anti-fascist protesters march in Orléans

One of the first major demonstrations took place in Orléans, where thousands gathered to oppose the National Rally’s congress.

The march followed a route approved by local authorities, avoiding the city centre, and concluded peacefully.

According to figures reported by Anadolu Agency, the prefecture estimated attendance at 13,000, while organisers put the number at 26,000. The protest coincided with the far-right party’s two-day congress, attended by supporters of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.

JUST IN: 🇫🇷 Huge protest breaks out in Paris. https://t.co/SbM4ewy8sW

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) October 24, 2026

Early afternoon: 135 arrests and 35,000 demonstrators reported

At approximately 1pm French time (2pm in Greece), Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that 135 people had been arrested nationwide.

Police estimated that approximately 35,000 people were taking part in demonstrations at that stage, compared with 60,000 at the equivalent point the previous Saturday.

The minister also reported 136 protest-related actions, compared with 264 a week earlier.

Le Monde reported that police had conducted more than 1,000 searches and checks in the Paris region, seizing items including fireworks, lead pellets and objects suspected of being intended for use as weapons. Nuñez said there had been no major incidents nationally at the time of his briefing, but stressed that police had been instructed to maintain a firm response.

Welcome to Paris right now https://t.co/eq6oe2zRCT

— DJE MEDIA (@DJEMEDIA_) October 24, 2026

Mid-afternoon: Thousands march in Paris as tensions rise in Lyon and Limoges

The principal Paris demonstration began at 2pm French time (3pm in Greece), setting off from Porte d’Italie towards Porte de Vincennes along a route imposed by the police prefecture.

The last-minute change had angered trade unions, which accused the authorities of deliberately complicating arrangements and discouraging participation.

Le Monde reported that the march proceeded under heavy police supervision, while large numbers of participants continued arriving at the departure point after the procession had begun.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, accused French President Emmanuel Macron’s government of creating the conditions for disorder through its restrictions on demonstrations. He also warned that the mobilisation could continue every week, with the prospect of a general strike.

In Lyon, confrontations developed around Place Jean Macé in the city’s seventh arrondissement. Police used tear gas against protesters, including in an area outside the main prohibited zone.

Le Monde reported that several hundred people had gathered near the square, with a police helicopter overhead, and that tear gas grenades were deployed at approximately 2.16pm local time (3.16pm in Greece).

In Limoges, where the city hall had been targeted in earlier unrest, a court suspended an initial protest ban before the prefect issued another restriction. Fresh confrontations and tear gas were subsequently reported.

Meanwhile, demonstrators assembled at Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux despite restrictions on gatherings in the city centre. Public transport services had been disrupted, and security barriers had been erected around government buildings.

Afternoon: Tirana protests turn violent as police fire rubber bullets

In Albania, a separate wave of anti-government demonstrations escalated into violent confrontations between protesters and police.

The demonstrations entered their 12th day on Saturday, with students and young people demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The tense standoff between Police and protesters in Albania goes on. https://t.co/ONZII7Puvn

— Xhemajl Rexha (@xhemajl_rexha) October 24, 2026

Earlier in the day, supporters of the opposition Democratic Party had gathered outside the prime minister’s office before marching towards the Ministry of Education, where students had called another demonstration.

According to Euronews Albania, opposition demonstrators set fire to cushions that Rama had placed outside his office as a symbolic invitation for students to engage in dialogue. Police deployed water cannon vehicles and special intervention units around the Education Ministry ahead of the afternoon gathering.

The situation deteriorated as groups of demonstrators reportedly threw stones, fireworks and petrol bombs towards police.

Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannon and pepper spray, while rubber bullets were also reported.

At 3.44pm Albanian time (4.44pm in Greece), Euronews Albania reported that officers had entered Rinia Park, where protesters had retreated, firing tear gas and rubber bullets. The broadcaster said rubber bullets had also been fired towards one of its television crews, led by journalist Ardit Hoxha.

Protests escalate in Tirana, Albania, as students join anti-government demonstrations. Clashes break out as protesters throw stones and police respond with water cannons. https://t.co/FOh86735ez

— euronews (@euronews) October 24, 2026

The clashes spread through the surrounding streets and towards the central Dëshmorët e Kombit boulevard.

The unrest has exposed divisions between the student movement and the country’s established political opposition. Although both oppose Rama’s government, some student activists have sought to distance themselves from traditional political parties.

In a report published on Saturday, independent Albanian outlet Reporter.al described how the protest movement had evolved from environmental activism into a wider revolt over corruption, living costs and political accountability.

Late afternoon: Tear gas and water cannon used in Nantes and Marseille

Back in France, further confrontations were reported as the demonstrations continued.

In Nantes, police deployed tear gas and water cannon to prevent protesters entering an area where unauthorised gatherings had been prohibited.

According to the local authorities, groups attempted to breach a security perimeter despite restrictions, prompting police intervention after warnings had been issued.

🔴⚠️ URGENT La situation dégénère à Marseille. #24octobre https://t.co/mmgHEfm2uT

— confrontation française (@confrontfr) October 24, 2026

In Marseille, a demonstration involving students, secondary school pupils, teachers and parents initially proceeded peacefully along an authorised route.

Le Monde reported that thousands of people had assembled around the Réformés district, at the top of La Canebière, where police were conducting searches and confiscating certain protective equipment.

Later reports described police using tear gas and water cannon as tensions escalated. The demonstrations reflected growing anger over education and public services, alongside the wider cost-of-living crisis.

Late afternoon: Jordan Bardella re-elected National Rally leader with 98.98% of the vote

Amid the nationwide unrest, Jordan Bardella was re-elected president of the far-right National Rally, securing 98.98% of the vote at the party’s congress in Orléans.

The 31-year-old was the only candidate in the leadership contest.

The result came as the party prepared for France’s 2027 presidential election, with Marine Le Pen expected to address supporters at the congress on Sunday.

The proceedings took place against the backdrop of the anti-fascist demonstration earlier in the day, which ended peacefully despite concerns about possible confrontations between rival political groups.

Towards 6pm Greek time: Fresh police interventions in Lille, Lyon and Bordeaux

The latest updates from France described further police operations in several cities.

In Lille, officers intervened during demonstrations, while in Lyon police again used tear gas to disperse protesters, including participants gathered outside restricted areas.

In Bordeaux, tear gas was fired around Place de la Bourse following confrontations between police and groups accused by the prefecture of throwing objects and erecting barricades.

The local authorities said officers had come under attack before using tear gas to clear the area.

Meanwhile, the main Paris march had begun peacefully, although security remained exceptionally tight throughout the capital.

Reuters confirmed that the government had deployed tens of thousands of officers and that police used tear gas in Lyon, while the main Paris demonstration initially avoided the widespread violence that had characterised the previous Saturday’s protests.

As of the latest reports available around 6pm Greek time on Saturday, the earlier figure of 135 nationwide arrests had not been superseded by a new independently verified total. Nor was there a confirmed final attendance figure for the demonstrations across France.

The developments highlighted the growing challenge facing the French government as it attempted to contain a protest movement fuelled by economic grievances, anger over public services and criticism of police restrictions, while similar public discontent continued to drive confrontations between demonstrators and security forces in neighbouring Albania.