French Students Blockade Schools Over Education Reforms

Students across France blocked dozens of high schools and universities on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) to keep pushing the government on education reforms. Trade unions were preparing for a nationwide strike.

After their two-week autumn break, some students restarted their protests on Monday (November 2), asking the government to fix old schools, reduce class sizes, and create more university spots.

Authorities reported that 48 out of France’s 3,700 high schools were blocked on Tuesday, with tight security in place in cities like Paris, Rennes, and Lyon. The USL student union claimed 500 schools were blocked.

Fifty-one universities out of 184 also faced disruptions, officials said. The USL union criticized the heavy-handed police tactics, including pinning students against walls and deploying riot units outside schools.

A union representative noted that authorities seemed determined to stop another day of blockades, as unions had called for a nationwide strike. “We don’t even have the right to vote, so this is our only way to speak out,” said a student in Paris.

Thousands of students marched in Paris and other cities. Education Minister Edouard Geffray condemned the actions, stating that preventing students from attending school denies them their right to education. He also mentioned that some staff faced violence.

In Rennes, 30 students blocked Brequigny High School, one of France’s largest secondary schools. Tensions rose between students and staff, with a staff member arguing, “You are not the majority,” while a student replied, “We’re doing this because nothing else has worked.”

At a school in Toulouse, students held signs reading “Angry, not far right.” The protests have sparked a national movement against rising prices and poor public services, drawing hundreds of thousands to the streets over three weekends.

The movement has inspired students in Italy and Spain, where the French word “blocus” (blockade) has become a popular hashtag. Last week, the government announced measures to address some demands, like improving university admissions, but students say these steps don’t go far enough.

With France’s economy struggling, authorities have limited room to meet student demands with additional spending. Student union L’Union Etudiante reported that over 50 campuses were blocked on November 3.

At the University of Lille, 40 students used bikes and trash bins to block the campus, leading to canceled classes. A student said, “If we can get rid of Parcoursup next year, it will all be worth it,” referring to the controversial university admissions system.

Some schools have been damaged since the protests began in September. On November 3, authorities reported that three minors were arrested after a school in Nantes was set on fire during earlier protests.