French students took to the streets again on Tuesday (November 3), demanding more funding, better staffing and improved facilities for their studies.

In Paris, authorities rejected a route proposed by student unions and suggested an alternative. Students refused and marched through central Paris despite the ban.

"We obviously contested this decision, because it prevents us from demonstrating even within Paris, which is pretty crazy", said Sorbonne student Nao Roscigni.

Two separate demonstrations took place in Paris, both of which were blocked by police, while an authorised march was held in western Nantes.

University students joined high school students, who began protesting in September over funding and learning conditions. The movement has since expanded to include trade unions and former Yellow Vest protesters.

Labour leaders and students have called for a nationwide stike on November 5, arguind that frustration over wages, living costs and public services is spreading far beyond the student movement that first mobilised last month.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

French students protest despite ban, demand better funding

VIDEO SHOWS: STUDENTS MARCHING FOR EDUCATION BETTER FUNDING IN PARIS AND NANTES / SOUNDBITES OF STUDENTS

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MARCHING CHANTING AND HOLDING BANNERS

2. RIOT POLICE WITH VANS BLOCKING ROAD

3. POLICE MOVING FORWARD

4. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS AT STANDSTILL

5. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS BLOCKED BY POLICE IN STREET

6. VARIOUS OF POLICE

7. STUDENTS TRYING TO MARCH ON WITH POLICE BLOCKING THEM

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PHD STUDENT AT SORBONNE UNIVERSITY AND MEMBER OF UNIVERSITY DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEE, NAO ROSCIGNI, 23, SAYING:

“Just like the last time, the route was banned by the prefecture, and with the cross-universities mobilisation committee, we obviously contested this decision, because it prevents us from demonstrating even within Paris, which is pretty crazy... to fight against repression. In fact, there already had been an appeal with Interfac that we won. We were able to hold a rally, and now it's been banned by the prefecture.”

9. VARIOUS OF POLICE BLOCKING MARCH

10. STUDENTS HOLDING ARMS

11. STUDENTS CHEERING

12. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PHD STUDENT AT SORBONNE UNIVERSITY AND MEMBER OF UNIVERSITY DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEE, NAO ROSCIGNI, 23, SAYING:

"The demands go far beyond Jussieu (campus), the universities, the high schools. What we're trying to say right now is that this is a global movement against austerity, steadily decreasing investment in public services while, on the other hand, tons of money is being poured into the wars, the military budget, and so on. For that, there is money. That's basically what we want to say.”

13. STUDENTS MARCHING

NANTES, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

14. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS MARCHING

15. VARIOUS OF STUDENT WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HER LAST NAME, LAEL TALKING TO OTHER STUDENT

16. (SOUNDBITE) (French) STUDENT WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HER LAST NAME, LAEL, 22, SAYING:

“Today, if we're here, it's because we believe we must continue to mobilize, because initially, if we were in the streets, it was in support of the high school students, but also for our own demands at the university. Because we, too, at the university, see that we have a critical lack of resources, both in terms of staff and funding. We have classes closing, we have buildings that are dilapidated, and so on. There's a lack of space, there's a selection of applications, which we're fighting against, as well as against Parcoursup and My Master (university applications platforms). But, today, we can clearly see that the anger is broader.”

17. STUDENTS HOLDING A BANNER READING (French): “CASH FOR UNIVERSITIES, NOT FOR THE COPS! NOT FOR THE MILITARY!”

18. (SOUNDBITE) (French) STUDENT WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HER LAST NAME, LAEL, 22, SAYING:

"The anger is broader. We've seen it since the 17th (of October), we see it ahead of of the 5th (of November), which still needs to be prepared. The thing is, now we are also fighting for wages, for a general increase in wages, we are fighting against the infernal pace of work, we are fighting against the high cost of living and that's why I am here today.”

19. STUDENTS HOLDING BANNER