AP
APTOPIX France Protests
A car burns at Place de La Republique during a protest against rising living costs in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
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Tensions have erupted in Paris and other major French cities during protests against rising living costs and student grievances. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent groups. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s office reported assaults on police, looting, and damage to public buildings, with at least 272 arrests nationwide. In Paris, clashes occurred in the Place de la République, while peaceful protesters marched toward northwestern Paris. Violence also hit cities like Lyon and Marseille. The protests follow weeks of school blockades and are supported by a major labor union.
