Student blockades continue at French high schools after six weeks of protest

Student organisations have resumed the blockade of high schools across France on Monday, 2 November 2026, as classes restart after the autumn holidays. The mobilisation, now in its sixth week, follows concessions announced by the government last week that protesters say are insufficient.

In Paris, a blockade is underway outside the Hélène Boucher high school, where about twenty students placed rubbish bins at the entrance. The Turgot and Sophie Germain high schools in the fourth arrondissement are also blocked.

“We resumed the movement because we were supposedly given answers, but they do not suit us at all. It is clearly not sufficient; it is not what we ask for.”

In Toulouse, students have reinstalled blockade equipment outside the Berthelot high school, and students are gathering outside the Arènes high school to prevent access. Activists say up to 13 of the city's 16 public high schools could be mobilised.

In Marseille, the entrance to the Montgrand high school was blocked on Monday morning by several rubbish bins piled in front of the gates. Around seven of the city's approximately 75 schools were blocked on Monday morning, according to student activists.

The Education Ministry says 41 high schools are blocked nationwide, representing 1 percent of the total. Minister Édouard Geffray described the disruptions as residual, mentioning a few schools in the Paris region, the north, and one or two in Toulouse.

Student unions, including the High School Students' Union, the Student Union, and UNEF, have called for blockades of high schools and universities on Tuesday, 3 November, and Thursday, 5 November. UNEF also urged students to organise in all universities on Monday and described Tuesday as a potential black day for universities.

The presidency hopes for a return to class on Monday, according to the entourage of President Emmanuel Macron. Minister Geffray stressed that the absolute priority is for pupils to be able to attend lessons.