Student Protests in France: What UK Families Should Know
Weeks of school blockades and marches by French pupils have led to clashes with police and thousands of arrests. Here's what's happening, and what it means if your child is heading to France.
Updated Thursday 8 October 2026. This is a developing story, and we'll update this page as the situation changes.
What's happening
The protests began on 17 September at a lycée (sixth-form college) on the outskirts of Paris and have since spread across France. Lycée pupils are usually aged 15 to 18, roughly the same age as Year 11 to Year 13 in England. Pupils have blocked school entrances, and the movement has spread to universities.
Protests have been recorded at around 1,020 of France's roughly 3,700 lycées, and up to 500 schools were expected to close fully or partly on Monday 5 October. On Tuesday 6 October, tens of thousands of people marched in cities across France in support of the pupils, and there were clashes with police in Montpellier. France's Justice Ministry says more than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, most of them under 18.
Why pupils are protesting
This isn't a protest against one reform. Pupils say their schools are understaffed and run-down, with overcrowded classes, absent teachers who aren't replaced, and buildings in poor repair. Pupils interviewed outside blocked schools have asked for smaller classes, healthier school meals and a lighter timetable.
Injuries and damage
Most pupils say they want to protest peacefully, but some days have turned violent. A teenager lost a hand during clashes with riot police in Lens, in northern France, on Monday 5 October, and an investigation has been opened. Some schools have been damaged by fire, and at least one, in Nantes, will stay closed until France's autumn half-term in mid-October.
What the French government says
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says the government will look at repairs to ageing school buildings, and has asked ministers for their first proposals by the end of October. The protests have also become political, with a presidential election due next spring.
If your child is on a school trip or exchange in France
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says demonstrations in France can start with little or no warning, particularly in cities. Most are peaceful, but it advises staying aware of what's happening around you and following the advice of the police and local authorities. Ask the school or trip organiser how they're keeping track of protest days, and whether plans can avoid city centres when marches are expected.
Make sure your child knows that 112 is the emergency number across Europe, including France, and has a charged phone with your number saved. In France, everyone must be able to prove their identity when asked by the police, so pupils should keep their passport, or a copy if the school holds the original, with them.
Talking to your child about it
Older pupils may see protest videos on TikTok and Snapchat. It's a good chance to talk about the right to protest peacefully, why some protests turn violent, and how to stay safe if a crowd becomes tense. If the footage has upset a younger child, our guide to talking with children about frightening news may help.
Sources
- France travel advice: safety and security (FCDO)
- Protests at a third of lycées in France, blockades now at ten universities (Connexion France)
- Protesting students in France blockade high schools, demanding more resources (Associated Press)
- France braces for day of school blockades and street protests (DD News)
- Blocus des lycées : la mobilisation se poursuit (in French) (AFP via Sud Radio)
- Blocage des lycées en France : appel à poursuivre la mobilisation (in French) (AFP via La Télé)
Figures are as reported on 6 October 2026 and may have changed. Travel advice can change quickly, so always check the FCDO's latest advice before travelling.
This post is general information. Your school's own plan comes first, so ask the school office for its procedures.