Student unrest and violent protests spread across France

France is experiencing a major wave of student-led protests that began in mid-September at the Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil. Demonstrators are calling for increased education funding, better school infrastructure, and more teaching staff. The movement has expanded nationwide, affecting hundreds of schools, with 400 to 500 institutions facing partial or full closures as of early October 2026.

Escalating tensions have led to severe clashes, with authorities reporting over 5,000 arrests and 215 student injuries. Notably, a 15-year-old student lost his hand in Lens after contact with a police stun grenade, while other incidents include school fires, vandalism, and attacks on teachers. Government officials, including Education Minister Édouard Geffray, have acknowledged some student demands as legitimate while condemning the violence. Recent reports indicate that 85 staff members and over 700 police officers have been injured during the unrest.

As the crisis continues, the Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), led by 19-year-old Riad Rani, has coordinated further actions, with nationwide protests expected to continue. The government is struggling to contain the unrest, which poses a significant challenge to the administration of President Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, justice authorities have launched multiple investigations into allegations of police misconduct.