France’s growing wave of school protests has reached the French Riviera, with students taking to the streets in Nice and Antibes this week. Update October 2026 : Nice introduces curfew and restrictions
In Nice, demonstrations extended onto the Promenade des Anglais on Wednesday 30 September, with clashes reported between some protesters and police near Magnan.
On Thursday 1 October, students were running through the streets of central Antibes. A few were throwing rubbish bags and chairs into the road.
Update on French school protests: 6 October 2026
Today, Tuesday 6 October 2026, student unions reported that 450,000 students and supporters protested in a nationwide movement, with 1,800 high schools blockaded. The government put the figures at 891 high schools and 256,000 protestors.
Today, Tuesday 6 October 2026, student organisations said 450,000 people took part in demonstrations across France, while the Interior Ministry put the figure at 266,000.
The Union Syndicale Lycéenne also said around 1,800 high schools were blocked or otherwise affected by the mobilisation.
The Education Ministry said classes were fully or partially suspended at 891 of France’s 3,700 high schools.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the suspension of classes in high schools for half a day to allow school principals to organize a period of “internal democracy” with students. Earlier reports had said the suspension would last from Wednesday to Friday, but school principals have clarified they will be suspended for half a day on one of the days from Wednesday to Friday for discussions to take place.
The Minister of Education explained: “Starting Wednesday, October 7, a dialogue will begin in all high schools. As part of the gradual resumption of classes, students will have the opportunity to voice their challenges, share their expectations, and discuss their daily experiences.
“Classes are being set aside to allow for a half-day dedicated to internal democracy within the schools. Other classes are not being cancelled. Each principal will organize this dialogue session based on their school’s specific circumstances.”
He urged students to check with their high school for details on how this will be organised.
The government has also announced the launch of a website where grievances can be submitted. However, the sentiment from disgruntled students is that this is not enough.
The high school students have also been joined by some university students, unions and their parents and grandparents.
According to France’s Interior Minister, more than 200 students, 85 staff members and 715 police officers have been injured since the protests began. Some claim that the police, who are sometimes using teargas, are being too forceful. Others say political organisations have infiltrated the school protests and are behind most of the violence.
Update 7 October 2026:
- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to speak about the school protests this evening
- The use of stun grenades has been suspended after one teenager’s hand was allegedly blown off a few days ago. The interior minister said he has called for the suspension so they can investigate what happened as there have been conflicting claims
- At least 500 schools were reportedly fully or partially shut this morning
- The Education Minister reported to the National Assembly that 24 schools will be shut for several weeks after having been “set alight or vandalised”. This affects at least 30,000 pupils.
Will there be more school protests?
Another nationwide day of protests, including school and university students, is reportedly planned for Thursday 8 October 2026.
Why are French school students protesting?
The main concerns are familiar to many families: missing teachers, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school buildings (which are not set up to cope with the heat, or suffer leakages during rain) and exhausting timetables. Students are also raising concerns about unequal learning conditions and the pressure surrounding Parcoursup, France’s university admissions platform.
The movement began on 21 September at Lycée Saint-Exupéry in Créteil, near Paris, where several teaching posts were unfilled. Calls for action then spread through student networks and social media, reaching schools across the country.
Which students are protesting?
The movement is principally led by lycée students, generally aged around 15 to 18 and in their final three years of secondary education.
The Union Syndicale Lycéenne, a high-school students’ union, called for nationwide action on 29 September, coinciding with a broader public-sector strike. Participation varies between schools, with demonstrations, attempted blockades and some full closures. Most protests have been peaceful, although violence has occurred at some locations. Today in Antibes, a few were running with metal sticks, and some were throwing items like rubbish bins and chairs into the road.
How has the government responded?
The government has acknowledged difficulties in high schools while condemning violence and disruption. President Emmanuel Macron called for calm on Wednesday, recognised young people’s right to raise concerns and said schools should remain open. He also said any misconduct by police should be investigated.
Locally, the Alpes-Maritimes prefect announced additional police support for Thursday, alongside restrictions on carrying fireworks and dangerous materials. Parents were urged to remind their children to stay away from those committing violence. A few firecrackers did go off during the Antibes protest.
Behind the headlines, the students’ central request is straightforward: better conditions in which to learn.
