Police Deploy Tear Gas in Paris, Marseille as French School Protests Surge

BRUSSELS — Police fired tear gas and water cannons in Paris and Marseille on Thursday as student protests over education reforms intensified, authorities said. The unrest has led to the shutdown of close to 900 schools across France, according to NBC News.

Escalation across regions

Demonstrations began earlier in the week in several secondary schools in the Île‑de‑France region and quickly spread to the south‑east, reaching Marseille on Oct. 5. Police in both cities reported using crowd‑control agents after protesters broke through barriers and attempted to occupy school premises.

Government response

The French interior ministry confirmed that law‑enforcement units were deployed under the public order code to restore order. Officials cited concerns about safety for students and staff, noting that the use of tear gas complies with national regulations for dispersing violent assemblies.

Scale of disruption

Education authorities announced the closure of 872 schools on Oct. 6, citing “security risks” and the inability to guarantee normal teaching conditions. The figure includes primary, secondary and vocational institutions in 12 of the 13 metropolitan regions. The Ministry of National Education said the closures would be reviewed daily and that remote learning arrangements would be activated where possible.

Background of the protests

Students have been rallying against a set of education reforms announced in March 2026, which include changes to university admission criteria, increased tuition fees for private institutions and a restructuring of vocational training pathways. Student unions such as the National Union of Secondary Students (UNSS) have organized coordinated walk‑outs, describing the measures as “an attack on equal access to education.”

Police tactics and public reaction

According to NPR, police in Paris deployed multiple canisters of CS‑type tear gas and directed water cannons at crowds gathered outside Lycée Montaigne. In Marseille, similar tactics were used near the Lycée Thiers campus. Eyewitness accounts reported that the agents caused temporary respiratory irritation and forced many students to seek refuge in nearby public buildings.

International attention

European Union officials expressed concern over the scale of the unrest. A spokesperson for the European Commission’s education directorate said the situation was being monitored closely and urged French authorities to seek dialogue with student representatives.