On October 23, 2026, major museums in Paris, including the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais, closed their doors. This decision came as authorities prepared for new protests across France. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, announced the deployment of 70,000 officers nationwide. There will also be helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons on standby.
Parisian shopkeepers have been taking precautions all week. On the famous Champs-Elysees, shops barricaded themselves in anticipation of the protests. Near Place de la République, a previously affected area, businesses put up wooden panels to ward off looters. Last weekend, around 3,000 shops across the country suffered damage or looting.
The protests initially began with high school students in southeast Paris seeking better conditions. The demonstrations have since grown, with participants demanding measures against rising living costs. During protests on October 17, 2026, central Paris witnessed fires, smoke, and clashes between protesters and police.
Protest marches are planned in both Paris and Marseille. However, local authorities in Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier have banned some rallies. Other cities faced significant challenges, such as Limoges, where a suspected arson almost ruined the 19th-century city hall.
In a related event, about 50 organizations plan to protest against the far right. This protest coincides with the two-day congress of Marine Le Pen’s nationalist, anti-immigration party, which occurs before the upcoming presidential election. Organizers include labor unions, left-wing parties, and student groups.