The 2026 French lycée protests were a wave of student demonstrations, class boycotts, and school blockades in France during September and October 2026. Initially focused on teacher shortages and inadequate school resources, the movement spread from the suburbs of Paris to other parts of the country. Its central demands concerned the conditions in which secondary-school students received their education. (apnews.com)
Origins and demands
The movement began on 21 September 2026 at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil, where students protested over unfilled teaching posts. Actions subsequently spread through the Paris region. The Union syndicale lycéenne (USL), a high-school student union, called for nationwide blockades on 29 September, coinciding with a public-sector mobilisation. (lemonde.fr)
Students demanded replacement teachers for uncovered absences, additional staff, repairs to deteriorating buildings, and less overcrowded classrooms. Complaints also concerned long school days and Parcoursup, the national application platform for entry into higher education, which protesters criticised as opaque and unequal. These demands combined immediate problems at individual schools with broader objections to learning conditions. (fr.euronews.com)
Expansion and major demonstrations
By 1 October, more than 1,020 high schools had been affected by strikes or protests, including 222 blockades, according to the Education Ministry. Participation extended beyond suburban state schools to city-centre establishments and some Catholic private schools. University students also began joining the mobilisation. (lemonde.fr)
A major national protest day took place on 6 October. The Interior Ministry estimated participation at 256,000 nationwide, including 56,000 in Paris; organisers reported 450,000 nationwide and 100,000 in the capital. The Education Ministry reported that lessons had been wholly or partly suspended at 891 establishments, counting all causes of disruption. These figures measured different aspects of participation and school closure. (fr.euronews.com)
Further blockades and demonstrations occurred on 8 October, including in Nantes, Lyon, Rennes, Marseille, Paris, and Réunion. The mobilisation also reached Guadeloupe. (publicsenat.fr)
On 13 October, climate activist Greta Thunberg joined students outside Paul Éluard high school in Saint-Denis. The Interior Ministry estimated that 161,500 people demonstrated nationwide that day, including 41,500 in Paris. (apnews.com)
Policing and disruption
Although most protesters were peaceful, some demonstrations and school blockades were accompanied by fires, property damage, and clashes. Police used tear gas, and injuries and arrests became prominent features of the mobilisation. (apnews.com)
By 30 September, the General Inspectorate of the National Police had been asked to investigate three incidents involving students injured during school blockades, in Sevran, Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, and Tours. (fr.euronews.com)
Government response
The government acknowledged the legitimacy of some educational grievances while condemning violence and damage. It opened an online consultation through its Agora platform, scheduled to accept contributions until 23 October, asking students about difficulties in their schooling and desired changes. (fr.euronews.com)
On 8 October, student organisations continued seeking concrete commitments. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had indicated that initial decisions would come at the end of October; demonstrations and blockades continued in the meantime. (publicsenat.fr)