Hundreds of French Lycées Close as Student Protests Continue Amid Security Concerns

On Monday, October 5, 2026, France continued to face widespread disruptions in its high schools due to ongoing student protests, with between 400 and 500 lycées experiencing partial or full course suspensions. The extensive closures affect approximately 3,700 lycées nationwide, with over 160 in the Paris region alone. This follows a week marked by significant tensions and blockages in educational establishments across the country.

The government, led by Education Minister Edouard Geffray, has underscored the necessity of guaranteeing safety for both students and staff, citing "conditions of security non réunies" (security conditions not met) as the main reason for the suspensions. Geffray has announced measures aimed at encouraging the resumption of classes where security can be ensured.

This surge in closures comes amid a renewed wave of lycée mobilizations that saw violent incidents during recent protests, prompting the government to outline a response structured around five key areas to address the unrest. Despite these tensions, demonstrations are set to continue, with unions calling on more participation for an "acte III" of the movement planned for Tuesday, October 6.

Authorities have been balancing efforts to maintain order and security without an excessive use of force, responding to criticisms over their handling of the protests. The government remains determined to see lessons resume in institutions where safety is assured but recognizes that disruptions will persist in many locations as the mobilizations gather momentum.

The situation highlights the depth of the unrest in the French education sector, with tensions escalating into a national crisis that affects the education of hundreds of thousands of students.