1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Cost of living protests in France

DW reporters
October 8, 2026

Initially, it was students in France taking to the streets demanding better learning conditions. They've since been joined by people calling out the rising cost of living. Some of the protests have turned violent.

Protesters hold a giant French flag with a yellow vest next to burning objects amid clashes during a demonstration in Paris
Image: Abdul Saboor/REUTERS

France has seen growing protests that began with students criticizing the conditions in schools and universities and have since widened to include people protesting high gas prices and the rising cost of living.

In Paris and other cities in France, as well as across Europe, the protests turned violent. Shops were looted, cars set on fire and scores of people were injured.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Show more stories
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW