It began with a hashtag, a few calls to action on Telegram and TikTok, and the simmering frustration of a nation that has had enough. By September 10, France was at a standstill. “Bloquons Tout”, or “Block Everything”, leapt from the internet into the streets, drawing thousands who set fire to buses, blocked roads, and filled the boulevards of Paris, Lyon, Rennes, and Montpellier. The government’s answer? Nearly 80,000 police officers, tear gas, and hundreds of arrests.
For a country no stranger to street revolutions, the sight of black smoke curling into the autumn sky echoed the Yellow Vest movement. Only this time, the anger was more diffuse, not just about pensions or fuel taxes but about austerity itself, about years of cuts that left schools underfunded, hospitals stretched, and ordinary households struggling.
The protests arrived at an especially fragile political moment. Just two days earlier, Prime Minister François Bayrou was forced out after losing a confidence vote, toppled by backlash to his deficit-cutting budget. President Emmanuel Macron swiftly installed his defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu, as replacement, the fifth prime minister in less than two years, and the fourth in just twelve months.
For demonstrators, Lecornu’s appointment felt like déjà vu. “It’s Macron who is the problem, not the ministers,” a Paris transport unionist told Reuters. Others echoed the sentiment: another close ally in power, another round of policies that keep public services starved. “We expected change, instead it’s a slap in the face,” a young protester in Lyon told AFP.
Across the country, the scenes varied, but the anger was the same. In Rennes, a bus was set ablaze. In Toulouse, a fire disrupted train services. Highways around Marseille, Montpellier, and Nantes were choked with barricades, forcing the highway operator Vinci to report heavy disruptions. In Paris, police in riot gear used tear gas on high school students blocking school gates, while at Gare du Nord, 1,000 demonstrators tried, and failed, to storm the station. According to official reports over 300 people were arrested nationwide as of September 10, 2025. In Paris alone, around 200 arrests were made, barricades set on fire leading to disruption of highways, blocked traffic, train service interruptions from damaged cables, and street fires.
The movement’s tactics extended beyond marches. Organisers urged people to boycott major retailers like Carrefour and Amazon, withdraw money from banks, and occupy symbolic public buildings. Their rallying cry was not just to march but to jam the system, to quite literally block everything.
The anger can be traced back to Bayrou’s proposed budget, a sweeping plan that included cutting nearly 44 million francs from state spending, freezing pensions, removing two national holidays, and shaving off five billion francs from healthcare. Bayrou’s downfall may have been swift, but protesters argue his policies live on, and Macron’s choice of successor signals no real break from the past.
Unions, too, are split. While the hard-left CGT threw its weight behind the demonstrations, larger confederations held back, preferring their own strike actions later this month. That hasn’t dampened the fervour online, where hashtags like #10septembre2025 trended as videos of barricades and chants of “Macron resign!” flooded feeds.
What happens next is unclear. But in a nation where political tempests are often fought not just in parliament but in the squares and streets, one thing is certain: France has entered yet another season of dissent, and the cry to “block everything” may be only the beginning.
For travellers in France or planning to go there during the protests, here are key safety tips:
Avoid the following areas or stay alert in these cities: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Rennes, and Montpellier, among others, which have seen heavy protests.
Public transport (metro, trains, buses) may face disruptions, route cancellations, or delays. Be especially cautious around major train stations like Gare du Nord.
Stay away from protest sites, barricades, and any large gatherings. Tear gas and water cannons are being used in many locations.
Check with your embassy for any emergency contact info or updates. Register your presence if possible via embassy travel registries.
Keep your travel plans flexible—hotels, flights, local tours could be affected.
Have backup routes and local transport apps ready. Avoid traveling during night or early morning when tensions could spike.
Keep a charged phone, some cash, water, and first aid items in your bag, in case services are disrupted.
Monitor local news (in English and local language), follow advice from local authorities and police directives.
1. What is ‘Block Everything’?
A grassroots protest movement in France using strikes, blockades, and civil disobedience against austerity.
2. Why are people protesting?
Over cuts to healthcare, pensions, and public services, and anger at Macron’s government.
3. What sparked it now?
PM François Bayrou’s fall after a failed budget vote and the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu.
4. Where are protests happening?
Nationwide—Paris, Lyon, Rennes, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.
5. Who backs the protests?
Mainly left-wing groups and the CGT union; bigger unions plan separate strikes later.
