High school student blockades: fires and violence in several cities; staff members injured
The high school student protests on Thursday, October 1, 2026, were marked by fires, vandalism, and clashes in several regions. By 1:00 p.m., police reports had documented more than 300 incidents and 169 roadblocks, while an interministerial crisis task force was established under the authority of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. ()
Having begun in Île-de-France about fifteen days earlier, the movement spread to numerous cities. Among the grievances cited were a shortage of teachers and class schedules deemed too heavy. However, the day was marked by incidents that occurred on the fringes of the roadblocks.
Fires and Vandalism in Nantes and Marseille
In Nantes, the wooden facade of the Nelson-Mandela High School was ravaged by flames. The incident resulted in significant damage, though no one was injured at the school. Fires also reportedly affected the facade of the private high school in Talensac, while the Michelet High School was reportedly targeted. Footage from the AB Nantes news agency also shows a teenager who reportedly caught fire near La Joliverie High School.
In Marseille, firefighters have responded to 40 calls since this morning for trash fires near schools. The gate of Saint-Exupéry High School, in the northern neighborhoods, was set on fire. According to the police prefecture, firefighters who arrived on the scene were surrounded by hundreds of youths and left the area. Their vehicle was subsequently set on fire; a marine firefighter sustained minor injuries.
The police headquarters also reported about 40 arrests in the department. At Victor-Hugo High School, school administrators were splashed with gasoline while individuals were pouring it into trash containers.
Schools Affected in Several Regions
In Bordeaux, a fire destroyed the entrance to Mauriac High School, according to Ici Gironde. Trash cans piled up in front of Montaigne High School blocked students’ access. Tear gas was also reported near Gustave-Eiffel High School.
In Rouen, the Blaise-Pascal High School sustained significant damage. According to Paris-Normandie, two principals were victims of violence in Seine-Maritime.
In Rennes, where unrest had already been reported earlier in the week, a water cannon was deployed in front of Bréquigny and Joliot-Curie high schools. The prefecture reported that individuals had broken into the Charles-Tillon and Bréquigny high schools, damaging buildings, educational materials, and vehicles belonging to teachers or technical staff.
Transportation Disruptions and Clashes Outside Major Cities
In Strasbourg, the prefect of Bas-Rhin suspended tram service to limit the movement of protesters and those responsible for acts of vandalism, which were reported outside several high schools. In Toulouse, protesters disrupted public transportation by walking on the tracks.
Clashes also broke out near two high schools in Pamiers and Ferrières, in Ariège. According to the prefecture, protesters set fire to dumpsters, fired mortars, and threw stones at law enforcement officers. In Charente, five people were arrested in connection with violence against law enforcement; two police officers sustained minor injuries, according to the prefecture. In La Rochelle, a bus was destroyed.
Source: 20Minutes – Front page (www.20minutes.fr)
Original article: View the original source
Author: Camille Allain
