Tens of thousands rally across France as high school protests gather strength

Cover image: Students chant slogans during a march to protest against under-resourced schools in Rennes, Brittany, on October 13, 2026. © Jeremias Gonzalez, AP

Tens of thousands of people rallied across France on Tuesday in support of protesting high school students, with unions putting turnout at 480,000, as anger over school conditions and alleged police violence fuels a growing movement challenging President Emmanuel Macron’s government ahead of planned cost-of-living demonstrations on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of people joined rallies across France on Tuesday to support protesting high school students, boosting a movement that poses a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron as his term in office winds down.