Up to 55,000 people marched in Lyon on the day of the fourth nationwide strike

On 5 November 2026, French trade unions held the fourth nationwide day of strikes since the start of autumn over wages and public services. In Lyon, the march followed a route imposed by the authorities: police counted 30,500 participants, while the CGT union reported 55,000. Clashes broke out near the Gallieni bridge, police used tear gas, six arrests were made; the city's metro and funiculars were suspended.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 5 November 2026 at 19:181 min read

The key facts

Fourth nationwide day of strike in France this autumn over wages and public services
Estimates of the number of participants in Lyon differ: authorities — 30,500, CGT — 55,000
Near the Gallieni bridge police used tear gas, six arrests; Lyon's metro and funiculars suspended

March along an imposed route

On Thursday, 5 November 2026, a column of tens of thousands of people with banners and flares marched through the eastern part of central Lyon. French trade unions held the fourth nationwide day of strikes this autumn with demands for higher wages and better public services, Euronews reports. Participants carried union flags and Palestinian flags.

Diverging estimates and a court dispute

The sides give different estimates of the number of march participants: the authorities counted 30,500 people, while the CGT union claimed 55,000. The march followed a route set by local authorities, who banned demonstrations across a significant part of central Lyon for fear of new acts of vandalism and looting. The unions challenged these restrictions in court but lost the appeal.

Clashes and transport shutdown

Tensions rose near the Gallieni bridge: according to the police, about 500 demonstrators dressed in black threw objects and set off fireworks. Police used tear gas, and six arrests were reported. Transport problems affected the entire city: the entire Lyon metro and all funiculars were suspended.