French Protests Escalate With Tear Gas Deployed

French authorities used tear gas to manage escalating protests as nationwide demonstrations continued on October 24, 2026. The demonstrations, organized by the 'Yellow Vests' movement, involved labor unions, high school, and university students, who protested against the high cost of living and rising fuel prices.

In Lyon, police deployed tear gas to disperse approximately 150 protesters who attempted to block a road near the city center, where demonstrations had been prohibited. The incident was observed by an AFP journalist.

Security measures were heightened in major cities, with police aiming to prevent a recurrence of previous rioting. Officers were seen standing guard at the Place de la Bastille, near The July Column, ahead of the demonstration in Paris.