Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inHarriette BoucherThursday 05 November 2026 23:15 GMTThe one-day strike involved teachers, energy workers, and high school students, causing the closure of the Eiffel Tower and a reduction in nuclear power output (Reuters)At least 600,000 people have demonstrated across France in nationwide protests over living costs, public services, and education, though trade unions claim 1.6 million took part.Clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police in major cities including Paris and Lyon, prompting officers to fire tear gas and firefighters to extinguish multiple blazes.The one-day strike involved teachers, energy workers, and high school students, causing the closure of the Eiffel Tower and a reduction in nuclear power output.French Education Minister Edouard Geffray condemned criminal behaviour after fireworks thrown by protesters triggered a large fire at a high school near Toulouse.The civil unrest occurs five months ahead of the French presidential election, increasing political pressure on Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu over salaries and inflation.In fullClashes break out as hundreds of thousands take to the streets in France in strike actionMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in