In brief

• French protests over living costs and education drew more than 100,000 people nationwide, according to the interior ministry.
• The interior ministry put the crowd at about 106,000, while organisers claimed 200,000.
• Clashes in Lyon, Marseille and Grenoble led to more than 200 arrests.
• Trade unions have called another strike for Tuesday.

Turnout and clashes in several cities

The French interior ministry estimated the nationwide crowd at roughly 106,000 (Demonstrationen - Mehr als 200 Festnahmen bei Protesten in Frankreich – Deutschlandfunk). Organisers counted 200,000. Both figures fell short of the numbers seen in recent weeks, when large marches and school blockades have run for more than a month. Other reports also put participation above 100,000 (Demonstrationen: Mehr als 100.000 Menschen protestieren in Frankreich – ZEIT ONLINE).

Violence in Lyon, Marseille and Grenoble

The incidents were concentrated in Marseille, Grenoble and Lyon. Rubbish bins were set alight and objects were thrown at police, according to the ministry, which said the situation remained manageable overall. In Lyon, the trouble followed the end of a march, and officers were pictured standing near a burning barricade. More than 200 people were detained in total (Hohe Lebenshaltungskosten: 200 Festnahmen bei Protesten in Frankreich – ZEIT ONLINE).

Demands: education, police violence and prices

The protests covered several grievances. Demonstrators objected to police use of weapons, called for better conditions in education and protested against high living costs. Each city had its own focus, and the themes varied from one march to the next.

Unions call new strike

Trade unions have called another strike for Tuesday, meaning the protest movement is set to continue in the coming days.

Read also

• France protests over living costs turn violent again as about 320,000 take to the streets
• France braces for fourth weekend of nationwide protests as cost-of-living anger spreads
• France's November 7 protests: 70,000 police and gendarmes deployed as turnout falls below earlier weeks