> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://there-are-no-secrets.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Student Protests in France - URL: https://there-are-no-secrets.ghost.io/student-protests-in-france/ - Published: 2026-10-07T12:44:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T12:44:00.000Z - Author: David Bass You’ve probably seen the headlines: **mass protests in France**. Maybe you read the details. And possibly even wondered for a second or two whether I’m safe over here. Fear not, loyal readers. Everything is fine (mostly). The whole thing started when some high school students near Paris demonstrated in support of striking teachers, who were upset over the lack of adequate staff and resources. Then the government got involved, in a classically heavy-handed way. Nothing motivates young people to protest more than trying to get them to stop. (Same with drinking, sex and pretty much everything else.) The complaints have been around for a long time. An increase in birth rates dating back to 2010 and cuts to school funding have led to 70% of French classrooms having 30+ pupils. Classes have been canceled when teachers are absent, rooms have too few desks, maintenance and infrastructure aren't keeping up, etc. As a heat wave engulfed Europe this summer, add sweltering conditions inside classrooms to the list. Yesterday, we took a train to Nîmes, about 30 miles from Avignon. Fun fact: denim was invented there, and the name denim comes from the French “de Nîmes,” which translates as “of Nîmes.” A couple blocks from the Nîmes train station, we came upon a police formation in the middle of the street, all decked out in riot gear – the photo above. A block further ahead, we saw the protesters who appeared to be blocking busses and other vehicles from passing through. We paused, backed up, observed. Other pedestrians moved freely up the sidewalk and past the protesters. So we moved on, unimpeded, to explore the city. (Which is marvelous, by the way, and we could easily imagine spending a couple weeks or longer in Nîmes). Another fun fact: Nîmes is the “most Roman city” in southern France, and the remains of many Roman-themed structures, including a once magnificent coliseum, are well preserved. We didn’t see any more protesters until we returned to Avignon mid-afternoon. A large, peaceful march passed near our Airbnb, and from the signs and appearance of the protesters this appeared to be the parents and a few labor union members, showing support for the students. Some of the parents looked like aging hipsters, others like they’d rather be at home cooking dinner but, you know, my kid is really into this. We walked alongside the march for a couple blocks, until it ended with an unstructured rally and slogan chants near one of the gates to the city. My French being virtually non-existent, I interpret every slogan or chant as a variation of “WE’RE MAD AS HELL AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!” Never, at any time since the protests began, have we felt unsafe. What the students are asking for is a better learning environment. Apparently, the students in France place a high value on getting a quality education. Their parents and labor unions support them. That gives me hope for France’s future. How are things back in the U.S? By the numbers: 70% of French classrooms have 30+ pupils 85 education staff injured during the recent unrest 900+ high schools closed or blockaded 6,000+ protesters taken into police custody 19,294 steps yesterday 250,000 estimated protesters, across 40+ cities, out on the streets of France nationwide on Tuesday $7,840,000 estimated cost of damage to high schools in the greater Paris region Leave a comment… I look forward to reading it.