Over 410,000 march across France over cost of living; police use tear gas, water cannons in Paris

More than 410,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living and a lack of funding for education, with clashes between demonstrators and police reported in several cities. Security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons in Paris as authorities stepped up measures to prevent a repeat of recent street violence.

Hundreds of demonstrations were held nationwide, drawing students, trade unions, activists and civil society groups. While many gatherings remained peaceful, confrontations broke out in several major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse.

According to official figures released by French law enforcement, the nationwide turnout stood at 410,000. Police arrested 135 people and seized a range of weapons during the demonstrations, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.

Clashes In Paris And Lyon

Violence escalated in Paris late on Saturday evening, prompting riot police to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Earlier in the day, Paris police had described the atmosphere in the capital as "calm".

Speaking about the security situation, Nunez said that "there has been no major incident" so far, according to France 24.

The items seized by police included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, airsoft guns and a Japanese katana sword.

In Lyon, riot police fired tear gas to disperse around 150 demonstrators who attempted to block a central road in an area where protests were banned, Euronews reported.

Despite restrictions on gatherings, nearly 10,000 people marched through Lyon, according to estimates from the Rhône prefectural authorities cited by France 24. Officials said demonstrators moved in different groups across the city, acting "in a very erratic manner, without any clearly defined objective" during the afternoon.

In Toulouse, local authorities estimated that around 26,000 people joined the demonstrations. Protests were also reported in Marseille and Lille, with clashes between police and demonstrators in Lyon.

Thousands Protest Against Far-Right National Rally

The city of Orléans emerged as another major focus of Saturday's demonstrations, as thousands gathered to oppose a two-day convention organised by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party, known in French as Rassemblement National.

Local prefecture officials estimated that 11,000 protesters had gathered in the city by noon, France 24 reported.

Demonstrators targeted both Le Pen and French President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners opposing the far right. The protests brought together left-wing political leaders, trade unions, student groups, activists and non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International.

The demonstrations took place as the National Rally held a major political gathering six months before France's presidential election.

The party's convention began shortly before 3 pm at the Zénith arena in Orléans, in the Loiret department. Thousands of delegates and supporters gathered at the venue, chanting "Marine for President", France 24 reported.

Jordan Bardella was re-elected as president of the National Rally during the congress on Saturday.

Student Protests Grow Into Nationwide Movement

The latest demonstrations follow a wave of protests that began more than a month ago, when students took to the streets over conditions in high schools, teacher shortages, school-day schedules and inequalities between public and private education systems, France 24 reported.

The movement has since expanded, drawing support from trade unions, civil society groups and the Yellow Vests movement. Anger over the rising cost of living has added to the unrest, particularly following violent clashes during demonstrations a week earlier.

Authorities have increased security measures across the country in an effort to contain the protests and prevent further violence.

Amid the escalating situation, President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of his defence council, which includes senior ministers and officials, to discuss the crisis.

Although many demonstrations remained peaceful, the clashes in Paris and Lyon highlighted the growing challenge facing French authorities as protests over living costs, education and far-right politics converge.

(With ANI inputs)