French police fired tear gas and used water cannons as demonstrations turned violent in several cities Saturday, with the Interior Ministry estimating that 410,000 people participated in protests nationwide. Paris saw the largest gathering, drawing approximately 110,000 demonstrators, according to authorities.

The march in the French capital began peacefully but deteriorated after demonstrators reached the authorized endpoint at Porte de Vincennes. Some attempted to continue toward Place de la Nation, prompting police to block their path. Officers also deployed tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Strasbourg and Marseille, while water cannons were used in Nice and Nantes.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said 64 people had been arrested in connection with the demonstration, including six minors. Forty people were placed in police custody, with most arrests involving suspected weapons offenses or participation in groups allegedly preparing violence or property damage.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had announced the deployment of as many as 70,000 officers nationwide, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons. Authorities restricted the Paris march to the southeastern edge of the city, away from central landmarks and commercial districts.

The unrest has become a growing challenge for Macron as he approaches the final months of his presidency before voters select his successor in May. The right-wing National Rally, led by a party that has repeatedly criticized the government over public safety, has urged dissatisfied citizens to express their anger at the ballot box.

The demonstrations began last month with complaints about staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris. They have since expanded into a broader movement involving students demanding better educational opportunities and workers seeking higher wages and improved pensions.

Education Ministry figures show that public middle and high schools lost 15.4 million teaching hours during the 2024-2025 school year because absent teachers were not replaced. The missed instruction represented 7.5% of scheduled teaching time.

Rising living costs have added to the frustration. France’s national statistics agency, INSEE, reported that energy prices were 21.3% higher in September than a year earlier, contributing to an overall inflation rate of 3.1%.

Students are demanding 250,000 additional places in higher education and an end to selection through Parcoursup, the national university admissions system. Their proposals also call for more teachers, repairs to schools and universities, an additional 200 euros per month in student grants, and a freeze on rents in public student housing.

Macron met with high school representatives Friday. The students said he had promised changes to university admissions but insisted that demonstrations should continue until concrete measures are announced.

The government has defended restrictions on demonstrations as necessary to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings. Police changed the Paris protest route on Friday, and officers at the original starting point near Bastille used a megaphone to order people to leave or face a fine of 135 euros, approximately $150.

Trade unions have condemned the restrictions, arguing that bans on rallies violate constitutionally protected freedom of expression. Authorities prohibited demonstrations in several cities, including Lyon, Nice and Montpellier.

The protests have also raised concerns about public disorder and damage to businesses. More than 500,000 people took to the streets the previous Saturday, when approximately 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted amid widespread violence. Nunez acknowledged that police had lost control in some cities during that unrest and offered to resign, but Macron rejected his offer.

Business owners in Paris have taken precautions against further violence. Near Saint-Lazare train station, contractor Akram Ahmed said he was called in to board up an optician’s shop after its owner expressed desperation over the situation.

The unrest has disrupted cultural events and tourism. The Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais were among the major cultural institutions closed Saturday. Art Basel, a major contemporary art fair, opened Friday but canceled its weekend program because of security concerns.

Meanwhile, thousands marched peacefully in Orléans against the far right as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally held a two-day congress in the city.

The broader movement reflects mounting frustration over economic inequality and access to public services. Protester Camille Chesnier, 27, said she had struggled to find work despite holding an engineering degree and a master’s degree. Other demonstrators voiced concerns about the cost of living and the future of public education.

Organizers associated with the Yellow Vest movement have called for another day of protests on October 31, signaling that demonstrations could continue as the government faces pressure to address the demands.