![France Protests 2026: Third Weekend Hits Halloween](https://cdn.slatesource.com/0/1/1/011ba0f0-06fd-491d-a741-478216159b36.webp)

# France Protests 2026: Third Weekend Hits Halloween

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/france-protests-2026-third-weekend-hits-halloween)
- By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph)
- Created on Oct 31, 2026

NOW

France enters a third consecutive weekend of protests with 70,000 officers deployed, 40+ Paris metro stations shut, and a night curfew in force. Updated 08:02 UTC 31 Oct 2026.

Updated Oct 2026

Police and gendarmes deployed today

70,000

Marchers on Oct 17 (worst riots)

~550,000

Marchers on Oct 24 (second weekend)

~410,000

Total arrested since Oct 17

2,700+

Businesses damaged or looted on Oct 17

4,500+

Paris curfew tonight

23:00 to 06:00 UTC+1

[france24.com](https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261031-fears-of-violence-as-france-braces-for-halloween-protests?utm_source=slatesource)

How France's protest wave grew01.09.2026 – 31.10.2026

01.09.2026High school students in northern Paris suburbs protest teacher shortages and failing facilities

01.09.2026

03.10.2026Trade unions and Yellow Vest activists join; movement adopts slogan "Bloquons Tout" (Block Everything)

03.10.2026

17.10.2026Worst riots in decades: 550,000 marchers, 1,500 businesses destroyed, 3,000 looted, 1 officer killed in Nantes

17.10.2026

22.10.20262,700 people arrested across France; 217 jailed in fast-track trials

22.10.2026

24.10.2026Second weekend: 410,000 marchers, protests largely peaceful but 1,300+ arrested; spread to Albania, Italy, Belgium

24.10.2026

29.10.2026Interior Minister Nunez warns of "very high risk of disorder" for Halloween weekend

29.10.2026

31.10.2026Third weekend: 40 Paris metro stations shut, night curfew imposed, Germany and 8 other countries brace for parallel rallies

31.10.2026

[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloquons_tout?utm_source=slatesource)

## Why people are in the streets

Protests began over fuel prices, then broadened into anger at the cost of living, teacher shortages, and the Bayrou government's proposed 44 billion euro in spending cuts. Yellow Vest activists, trade unions, secondary school students, university students, and climate groups are all marching. Polls show 74 percent of French voters under 30 say politicians do not represent them.

[aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/germany-and-france-brace-for-protests-on-halloween-weekend?utm_source=slatesource)

> The day of October 31 presents a very high risk of public disorder. We will tolerate no excesses.
>
> — france24.com

What is shut or disrupted in Paris today

75%

40+ metro and RER stations closed (all 14 lines affected)

Tram services suspended on key routes

Velib bike-share suspended

Night curfew 23:00-06:00 in Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles districts

Protest march rerouted to outer boulevards only (Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton)

Halloween masks banned at demonstrations

Eiffel Tower -- open but under heightened security

Charles de Gaulle airport -- operating with increased police presence

[sortiraparis.com](https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/in-paris/articles/355777-october-31-demonstration-40-metro-and-rer-stations-closed-saturday?utm_source=slatesource)

## The protests have spread across Europe

Youth-led rallies coordinated on TikTok are planned in 46 cities across 9 countries: France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Portugal. Germany expects more than 100,000 participants in at least 23 cities. Protesters are urged to wear black clothing to avoid identification. Organizers cite the French protests as inspiration. Last updated 08:02 UTC 31 Oct 2026.

[ny1.com](https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/ap-top-news/2026/10/31/france-heads-into-third-weekend-of-protests-as-youth-led-rallies-sweep-europe?utm_source=slatesource)

[France 24: Fears of violence as France braces for Halloween protests](https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20261031-fears-of-violence-as-france-braces-for-halloween-protests?utm_source=slatesource)

[Al Jazeera: Germany and France brace for protests on Halloween weekend](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/germany-and-france-brace-for-protests-on-halloween-weekend?utm_source=slatesource)

[Sortiraparis: 40 metro and RER stations closed Saturday](https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/in-paris/articles/355777-october-31-demonstration-40-metro-and-rer-stations-closed-saturday?utm_source=slatesource)