Student protests have spread across France, with hundreds of schools affected as students and public-sector workers demonstrate over education conditions and proposed government spending cuts.
The protests come shortly before Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government is expected to present its draft 2027 budget, which includes a planned €54 billion savings programme. Students have raised concerns about teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, school conditions and timetables.
France’s Education Ministry said around 400 schools were affected by protests or disruptions on Tuesday, out of approximately 3,700 schools nationwide. More than 440 people, mostly minors, were detained, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Officials also reported injuries involving teachers, students and law enforcement personnel.
The demonstrations, which began in the Paris region, have expanded to cities including Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, Bordeaux and Rennes. While many school blockades remained peaceful, some incidents involved clashes with police and damage or fires outside schools.
The student protests coincided with a wider public-sector strike, involving teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and other employees. Unions organised more than 170 rallies against proposed budget measures, including a planned freeze on state employees’ base salaries.
The government is seeking spending reductions as France faces a rising debt burden. Public debt reached about €3.595 trillion at the end of June, while debt-servicing costs are also projected to increase.
The protests have placed education funding and public services at the centre of debate ahead of the 2027 budget.
