---
title: "France in general strike: 575,000 protesters by Interior Ministry, 1.6 million per unions, 448 detained in Paris"
description: "France saw nationwide strikes and marches against the high cost of living on November 5: Interior Ministry estimated 575,000 participants, while CGT reported 1.6 million. There were detentions, injured police officers, and fires in Paris."
date: 2026-11-05T20:59:00.716Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/france-nationwide-strikes-and-protests-november-5
tags: [france-protests, general-strike, inflation, paris, unions, public-order]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# France in general strike: 575,000 protesters by Interior Ministry, 1.6 million per unions, 448 detained in Paris

![Protester in a mask and blue cloak with arms outstretched in front of a burning car during protests in France.](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/frantsiya-obschestvennye-zabastovki-i-protesty-5-noyabrya/frantsiya-obschestvennye-zabastovki-i-protesty-5-noyabrya-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The French Interior Ministry estimated 575,000 protesters on November 5, while the CGT union reported nearly 1.6 million people in 207 cities.
- By evening in Paris, 448 people were detained, 53 police officers were injured, and there was a fire near the Place de la Nation; 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed.
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a "social conference" with unions and employers for November 9.

On November 5, France found itself at the epicenter of a nationwide wave of protests: strikes and street marches against the high cost of living and for wage increases took place in dozens of cities simultaneously. According to the French Interior Ministry, about 575,000 people took part, while the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union counted almost 1.6 million participants in 207 cities. To maintain order, authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide, and in Paris, the union procession moved from the Place de la République along Boulevard Voltaire to the Place de la Nation.

### Course of the marches and clashes in the capital

In Paris, the protest did not pass without incidents: protesters damaged property along the route, and a fire broke out near the Place de la Nation — footage from the scene shows flames shooting from the window of a burning car and smoke over the crowd. Police used tear gas to extinguish the fire and push back the crowd. By evening, law enforcement had detained 448 people, 53 officers had been injured, and the fire services had completed 86 missions. The Interior Ministry noted specifically that in Rennes, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, risk groups consisting of radical and far-left activists had formed.

### Scope of the strike: transport, schools, medicine

Railway workers, hospital and postal staff, as well as about 16% of teachers, joined the strike. According to government data, almost 10% of public sector employees, 4.6% of local government staff, and about 4% of hospital workers were on strike. In education, the picture was contradictory: 81 out of 3,700 high schools were officially blocked, while a student association reported that classes were suspended in a thousand educational institutions.

### Response of the authorities and the "social conference"

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that on Monday, November 9, he would convene representatives of trade unions and employers for a "social conference" to discuss wages and purchasing power. The Minister of Labor and Solidarity has been instructed to finish preliminary consultations by Sunday. CGT leader Sophie Binet stated: "Today the question is not whether we will win, but how much we will win."

### Context: a week of protests and union demands

The November 5 action was a continuation of a series of protests against the high cost of living that took place on October 17, 24, and 31; according to the Interior Ministry, the October 17 march drew 550,000 people, and on October 31, 565 people were detained by evening in Paris, Marseille, and other cities. Unions are demanding higher wages, improved training and public service conditions, stronger social protections, and tax reform.

## Accounts differ

### Number of protesters on November 5

- **French Interior Ministry:** Approximately 575,000 people participated in the demonstrations ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/slozoginniy-gaz-pozhezhi-ta-400-zatrimanih-1793911701.html))
- **CGT Trade Union Confederation:** Almost 1.6 million people participated in 207 cities ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/slozoginniy-gaz-pozhezhi-ta-400-zatrimanih-1793911701.html))

*Where they agree:* Nationwide demonstrations and strikes took place in France on November 5, acknowledged by both the government and unions

### Number of affected schools

- **Official data:** 81 out of 3,700 high schools were blocked ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/slozoginniy-gaz-pozhezhi-ta-400-zatrimanih-1793911701.html))
- **Student association:** Classes were suspended in one thousand educational institutions ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/slozoginniy-gaz-pozhezhi-ta-400-zatrimanih-1793911701.html))

*Where they agree:* Classes were suspended or blocked in several schools during the strike

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Слезоточивый газ, пожары и 400 задержанных: Францию охватили массовые протесты](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/slozoginniy-gaz-pozhezhi-ta-400-zatrimanih-1793911701.html) - Original source: Interior Ministry figures (575k), CGT (1.6m), 70k security forces, 448 detained, 53 injured, 86 fire missions, strike scope, conference announcement for Nov 9, context of protests on Oct 17/24/31.

## FAQ

### How many people participated in the November 5 protests according to different estimates?

The French Interior Ministry estimates about 575,000 people, while the CGT union reports nearly 1.6 million participants in 207 cities.

### How many people were detained in Paris and how many police were injured?

By evening in Paris, 448 people were detained, 53 officers were injured, and fire services carried out 86 missions.

### Which sectors joined the strike?

Railway workers, hospital and postal staff, and about 16% of teachers; government data shows nearly 10% of public sector employees, 4.6% of local government staff, and about 4% of hospital workers were on strike.

### What measures were announced by the authorities?

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a "social conference" with unions and employers for November 9; the Labor Minister is tasked with finishing consultations by Sunday.