Watch: Fireworks and tear gas as protesters and riot police clash in Paris

French authorities reported nearly 1,000 arrests during protests across the country on October 24, 2026, as hundreds of thousands gathered to challenge President Emmanuel Macron's policies on school funding and living costs. The demonstrations were smaller but less peaceful compared to the previous week when riots and looting occurred in major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, leading to over 3,000 damaged or looted stores and an estimated loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for retailers. Clashes broke out in Paris near the demonstration's endpoint, where masked protesters hurled objects at police who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced a significant security presence to prevent further unrest, deploying around 70,000 officers and gendarmerie equipped with riot gear and weapons to maintain order. Protesters carried various weapons including fireworks and firearms, indicating heightened tensions amidst ongoing economic grievances. The protests are seen as a challenge to Macron's authority in the final months of his presidency before May’s elections.