Mapping how France’s protest wave spread across Europe

France’s protest movement, which began with high school students objecting to deteriorating classrooms, has continued for nearly two months and broadened into demonstrations over living costs, wages and public services. Rallies have also spread across Europe, reflecting shared concerns about education, housing and affordability, while confrontations and criticism of police actions have raised the stakes.

French Interior Ministry figures put Saturday’s turnout at 146,000 nationwide, including 46,000 in Paris; unions estimated 250,000 and 75,000 respectively. ACLED recorded more than 1,200 French protests and riots involving at least 100 people between 15 September and 30 October, with 24.2 per cent classified as riots, compared with a 1.9 per cent median in previous protest cycles. The same period saw more than 1,700 such events across Europe, including in 30 countries beyond France; UN experts have also criticised the French authorities’ use of force and arrests.