Fires break out at French schools as students protest nationwide

In a string of incidents on Thursday, flames broke out at several French secondary schools as students and university students blockaded institutions across the country to demand better funding, more teachers and improved facilities.

Fires were reported at two high schools in Nantes, in the city’s centre there was a blaze at the Nelson Mandela high school that spread to the entrance hall. A further incident, filmed at the front of a high school in Rouen, saw the building catch fire after a bin was set alight. In the south, the Victor Hugo high school in Marseille suffered damage when petrol was splashed on its premises by protesters. In the north, a head teacher at Degrugillier high school in Auchel was injured by a stray firework.

The Interior Ministry said 1,949 people were arrested while 305 police officers were injured during the clashes. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting that day. In the aftermath officials described the demonstrations as having descended into “urban violence.”

The incidents are part of a broader wave that began last week and now spans 1,027 lycées, with blockades reported at 222 of them. More than 30 university campuses, including those in Rennes and Paris, also experienced blockades.

Transport services in Marseille and Strasbourg were suspended because of vandalism and concerns about safety. The protests have split opinion: hard‑right politicians blame the left for “professionalised” riots, while left‑wing leaders call for calm and non‑violent expression. University students have joined the marches, echoing demands that echo older education‑system grievances.