Andrea Innocenti On October 17, France experienced an unprecedented demonstration against rising prices of essential goods and fuel. Across the country, 272 people were arrested , while authorities estimate the presence of approximately 200.000 protesters , 40.000 in Paris and 150.000 in the rest of France.
The protest, nicknamed “high cost of living,” involved both the traditional yellow vests and student groups, creating a fusion of economic and social demands.
Paris: Place de la République at the center of tension
According to the Paris police prefecture, the vast majority of participants demonstrated peacefully, but a minority remained “hostile” on the Place de la République.
To contain the situation, law enforcement officers deployed fire hoses, water cannons, and tear gas , extinguishing several burning vehicles with the assistance of firefighters. In the capital, 61 arrests were reported, and 589 preventative checks were carried out , resulting in 21 arrests related to the raid on the CNews news outlet's offices.
Blitz against CNews and slogans against the President
Around 11 a.m., a group of about a hundred people occupied the CNews headquarters, throwing objects at the windows and causing significant damage. During the clashes, aggressive chants against the President emerged, including the line: " Louis XVI, Louis XVI, on l'a décapité, Macron, Macron, on va recommencer, " underscoring their frustration with the government's policies. Among the most dramatic clashes, a protester was seen with a bloody face, while in Saint-Étienne, a man lost his hand to a police grenade.
Riots in other cities: Rennes, Lyon, Marseille and beyond
In Rennes, around twenty activists set up a roadblock with garbage cans and pallets, obstructing traffic near a large shopping center. In Lyon, according to authorities, 40 people were dispersed near a bridge over the Rhône after attempting to block traffic. That same day, a group of ten people was removed from the Feyzin refinery. In Marseille, the Boulevard du Prado was temporarily blocked with garbage cans and scooters until CRS officers restored normal traffic. Blockades and burning containers were also reported in other cities, such as Nancy and Brittany.
Institutional reactions and containment measures
The previous day, from Brussels, President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm, recalling that the right to demonstrate must be exercised with respect for people and public property. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that blockades on strategic arteries or essential infrastructure will not be tolerated. Authorities also banned demonstrations in sensitive areas of Paris, including the Champs-Élysées, the presidential palace (the Élysée), and the prime minister's headquarters in Matignon. The official procession was scheduled for 14:00 PM at Place de la République, with subsequent movement to Place de Clichy.
Coordination and numbers of actions
The portal listed more than 1.750 planned protests, including rallies, blockades at roundabouts, intersections, gas stations, highway toll booths, ports, refineries, and oil depots. Law enforcement officials reported significant monitoring activity, with 21 arrests related to the raid on CNews and numerous interventions to contain fires and disperse hostile groups. Despite the large number of participants, authorities avoided a large-scale escalation of violence, limiting the most serious consequences to a few incidents of injuries and property damage.
With presidential elections six months away, protests over the cost of living could shape the national political debate. The combination of blockades, fires, and the use of tear gas has highlighted the police's ability to manage tense situations, but has also raised questions about how the French population's legitimate demands for economic change have been addressed.