Issued on: 07/11/2026 - 09:17Modified: 07/11/2026 - 10:32

People march along Boulevard Voltaire in Paris during a demonstration as part of a nationwide day of actions as unions hold strikes alongside student-led demonstrations, on November 5, 2026. © Ludovic Marin, AFP

French unions and student groups are set to take to the streets for another day of protests on Saturday, while the Yellow Vests movement plans a separate rally in central Paris despite a ban by authorities. The demonstrations follow weeks of youth-led unrest and nationwide strikes that drew hundreds of thousands of workers protesting over the rising cost of living. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

70,000 security forces to be deployed across France Saturday

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police officers and security forces would be deployed across the country.

"If there are any rioters or looters ... we'll be ready and waiting for them," he said.

The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, but there have at times been clashes with police or vandalism on their sidelines, including on October 17, when France saw its worst unrest in years.

On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of striking workers took to the streets across France in mostly orderly protests, although clashes between demonstrators and police broke out in several cities.

🎥 Europe's crisis of discontent: Student and cost-of-living protests spread across EU

A growing wave of discontent is sweeping across Europe.

What began in France as student protests over deteriorating school conditions, teacher shortages and an education system under pressure has quickly grown into something much bigger: a groundswell of discontent over the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing and struggling public services.

France braces for protests as Yellow Vests urge 'mass disobedience'

French unions and student groups are set to take to the streets for another day of protests on Saturday, while the Yellow Vests movement plans a separate rally in central Paris despite a ban by authorities.

The demonstrations follow weeks of youth-led unrest and nationwide strikes that drew hundreds of thousands of workers protesting over the rising cost of living.

Student groups and trade unions have called for an authorised march in central Paris "against the high cost of living and in support of young people".

Yellow Vests activists, however, have refused to join, instead calling for a separate rally at Place de la Concorde, near the lower house of parliament and presidential palace, despite a ban by authorities, and called for "mass disobedience".

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as France braces for another Saturday of protests.