French authorities deploy 70,000 officers for October 24th protests; Louvre and other museums closed
French authorities are deploying 70,000 police officers ahead of planned protests following a week of violent unrest and looting. Major cultural sites like the Louvre will be closed as the government attempts to contain the fallout from demonstrations against the high cost of living.
Why it matters
The scale of the deployment and the closure of major landmarks underscore the severity of the social unrest and the government's struggle to manage inflation-driven public anger.
French authorities deploy 70,000 officers for October 24th protests; Louvre and other museums closed left Police officers stand in front of a fire in a street as clashes erupted at Place de la Republique following an unauthorised demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026 AFP AFP https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/jcwriy/article71616446.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP__20261018__D3NB769__v1__HighRes__FranceSocialDemo.jpg MATTHIEU RONDEL Police officers stand in front of a fire in a street as clashes erupted at Place de la Republique following an unauthorised demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026 a day after nationwide protests against the "high cost of living". France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 1,200 people were arrested in protests across the country on October 17, and 150 police were hurt as clashes between police and protesters, massive looting and multiple blazes gripped France as nationwide marches against soaring inflation degenerated into street violence of "extreme intensity".
Headlinne story · 8 newsrooms
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