France protests latest: 135 arrested and tear gas fired at demonstrators as unrest erupts

In full: Louvre shuts down over fears of violence in ParisThe Orsay and Picasso museums are also among those that are closed, the ministry said.The ministry called on all institutions under its authority to adopt any necessary measures to ensure “visitor safety, staff protection and the preservation of artworks”.Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 17:30Clashes reported in Marseille Clashes between protesters and police have been reported in Marseille near an arch where a planned demonstration was scheduled to conclude. Young men, many with covered faces, had dragged large streets of metal into the street as barricades, according to The New York Times. Others threw rocks and bottles at riot police, and officers fired volleys of tear gas at protesters. Holly Bancroft24 October 2026 17:26Watch: Police use tear gas on French protesters marching in LyonPolice use tear gas on French protesters marching in LyonDan Haygarth24 October 2026 17:00In pictures: Protests across FranceProtesters in Strasbourg (AP)Protesters march during a demonstration against rising living costs in Paris (AP)Man holding a sign denouncing dictatorship in front of French police officers in a smoke of tear gas and in front of Clemenceau square shops, Pau (AFP/Getty)Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 16:30Mona Lisa off limits as Paris shuts museums over protest fearsDisappointed tourists poked their heads through the Louvre's locked gates on Saturday, shut off from the Mona Lisa as galleries and ⁠museums across Paris closed as a precaution ahead of fresh demonstrations."When we came, we thought there could be a problem but not that the museum would be closed," Italian social educator Selena Bertoni, 31, said in front of the Musée d'Orsay.On a four-day trip to Paris she ⁠had paid €50 for two tickets to see its ​Impressionist ⁠paintings and other masterpieces."Bad timing," she said, with a shrug.The closures came one week after nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and deteriorating public services descended into some of the worst street violence that France has seen in years. The violence ⁠and damage prompted the government ‌to impose localised curfews and close many public venues ahead of demonstrations planned on Saturday. The shutdown extended across much of the capital's cultural sector, including the Orangerie, ‌Jeu de Paume and Picasso museums, while the entire ‌Tuileries Gardens complex that leads out of the Louvre was sealed off."This is the third museum we have come to that is closed. They should've warned us," French visitor Heidi Rosar, 21, said.At the Louvre, ⁠the locked black iron gates blocked access to the entire site and the garden."We wanted to at least see the pyramid," 67-year-old Canadian Don Nowschuk said, referring to the museum's landmark glass entrance.On a two-night stay in the City of Light, Nowschuk suggested the local authorities might be overreacting."There is so much security that you would think it would be enough to secure the museum," he said."It's a bit weird to see so many cops with guns around Paris. We are used to guns but not like this."The disruption extended to the performing arts sector. ‌The Paris Opera shuttered both the Palais ⁠Garnier and the Opéra Bastille, citing safety concerns for staff and audiences.Organisers of `the prestigious Art Basel Paris fair also cancelled its weekend programme. The cultural centres posted warnings about the ‌closures on Friday, but some ​people never thought to check."How could we have known? We didn't think a museum could be closed. We are a bit naive," 59-year-old French woman Catherine Sebbagh said.Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 16:00Watch: Protests take place across France as country braces for riotsProtests take place across France as country braces for riotsDan Haygarth24 October 2026 15:30What sparked the fiery protests in France – and how they are spreading across EuropeClick below for everything you need to know about the nationwide movement:Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 15:15In pictures: Tear gas used in LyonA demonstrator attempts to kick away a fuming tear gas pellet amid a cloud a of tear gas during a demonstration in Lyon (AFP/Getty)A car and a cyclist amid a cloud of tear gas and next to a fuming tear gas pellet in Lyon (AFP/Getty)A demonstrator stands next to fuming tear gas pellets amid a cloud a of tear gas in Lyon (AFP/Getty)Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 15:00Demonstrators accuse French government of overreactingMany demonstrators accused the government of over-reacting, with soldiers dispatched to patrol the Champs-Elysees."We shed tears for shops, not for the people who are being impoverished all year ‌round," said Clara Lebbadi, a 22-year-old arts student."My friend and I almost didn't come because we were scared, but we came precisely because it's important not to let repression win," she added.The first authorised march on ‌Saturday passed off peacefully in Orléans, around 120 km (75 miles) ⁠south of Paris, where demonstrators rallied against Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally as it held a party congress ⁠in the city.Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 14:50In pictures: Demonstrators take to the streets across FranceProtesters and students chant slogans during a demonstration against rising living costs in Paris (AP)A demonstrator holds up a placard reading "We want to live, not survive" in Lyon (Reuters)A protester holds a French flag reading "We are the future of France" on the Monument des Mobiles in Marseille (Reuters)Protesters attend an authorised demonstration organised by labour unions in Paris (Reuters)Dan Haygarth24 October 2026 14:36