France Deploys 70,000 Police Ahead of Protests as Paris Shops and Museums Close

French soldiers from the "Sentinelle" security plan patrol to secure the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris ahead of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement joined by French high school and university students, against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in France, October 24, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

PARIS, October 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - France mobilized 70,000 police nationwide ahead of Saturday’s demonstrations, while shops, museums and metro stations in Paris closed as authorities sought to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violence.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez deployed 10,000 more officers than on October 17, when vandalism and looting damaged businesses across the country. He urged police to respond quickly to attempts to target shops, public institutions and security forces.

Soldiers from an anti-terrorism unit patrolled the Champs-Elysees, while police guarded the area around the Arc de Triomphe.

The demonstrations follow weeks of protests by students, workers and unions over living costs and pressure on public services. Authorities say radical militants and groups of looters have exploited the gatherings to carry out attacks and cause damage.

Many Paris shopkeepers boarded up their premises, and luxury retailers increased security. Business groups urged stores to remain closed after thousands of businesses were damaged or looted across France the previous weekend.

The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay and Paris Opera were among the cultural institutions closing for the day. More than 20 metro stations were also shut.

The route of the main Paris demonstration remained uncertain after police sought to move organizers away from the city center toward the capital’s southeastern outskirts. The police prefecture cited risks to businesses along the proposed route.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, criticized the late changes, saying they left organizers with insufficient time to adjust.

Restrictions varied elsewhere in France. Marseille reversed an earlier ban and authorized a union march, while demonstrations remained restricted in central Lyon. Union rallies were also permitted in Strasbourg, but bans remained in several other cities.

In Orleans, an authorized march began in the morning against Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which was holding a party congress in the city.

The demonstrations came a day after a shooting west of Paris killed one person and wounded four others, including a 12-year-old girl. The gunman was suspected of acting out of Islamophobic hatred.

Source: Reuters.