Pupils in Paris and provincial cities halted access to educational facilities on Tuesday to demand increased funding and improved conditions for their teachers. In the Alpes-Maritimes, police deployed tear gas to break up student gatherings, while school staff at a facility in Saint-Denis linked arms to shield students from law enforcement during a confrontation. Unrest in Saint-Denis also included a fire burning at a school entrance.

The protests are happening alongside a nationwide strike by public sector workers, including firefighters and schoolteachers. The wave of industrial action and student blockades comes as France prepares for a presidential election.