Riots break out across France as cops and protesters pelt each other with tear gas and projectiles during May Day marches

French police clashed with May Day demonstrators today as the nation marked its most symbolic public holiday. 

Riot cops were seen detaining people as protesters launched smoke flares and marched in their thousands.

In Paris, rioters threw firecrackers and projectiles towards armed police, who responded with tear gas. 

Other dramatic footage from France shows officers beating demonstrators with batons. 

The traditional May 1 demonstrations, which mark International Workers’ Day, have spread worldwide as a venue to fight any economic injustices as well as other causes such as peace and women’s rights.

The protests also came days after hundreds gathered to demonstrate against Islamophobia after a Muslim man was stabbed to death at a mosque in southern France.

In France, only essential services, such as hospitals, public transport, energy supply, cafés, hotels and restaurants, are allowed to open today.

Any staff member who is working must be paid double, according to the law.

Riot police officers detain a protester during a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking International Workers’ Day, in Nantes

CRS riot police officers charge to disperse protesters during a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking International Workers’ Day, in Nantes

A protester is sprayed with water from a water cannon as he sends fireworks to riot police during a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking International Workers’ Day, in Nantes

A protestor stands with her arms raised in front of CRS riot police officers during a May Day (Labour Day) rally

Processions of workers took place in major cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, and Nantes this morning, with the rally in Paris beginning in the early afternoon.

Authorities are anticipating between 100,000 and 150,000 demonstrators nationwide, including an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 in Paris. In 2024, 121,000 people participated in the demonstrations.

But French media reported today that more than 300,000 people took part in the marches, including 100,000 in the capital.

This year, there was no common front of French trade unions, however, with the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) choosing not to rally with more left-wing organisations.

The CGT union, which counted some 260 rallies in France, has called for a ‘festive and combative’ May Day. 

But the police response to some of the demonstrations has drawn criticism from French politicians.

Socialist Party parliamentary leader Boris Vallaud condemned what he described as ‘serious and unacceptable violence’ against party activists and officials during a May Day march in Paris, vowing to take legal action.

‘Serious and unacceptable violence. These agitators are enemies of workers and of the left. Full support to the injured comrades,’ Vallaud wrote on X, saying he would refer the matter to the public prosecutor.

Separately, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella spoke at a separate May Day meeting held by the National Rally party. 

Authorities are anticipating between 100,000 and 150,000 demonstrators nationwide, including an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 in Paris

But French media reported today that more than 300,000 people took part in the marches, including 100,000 in the capital

The police response to some of the demonstrations has drawn criticism from French politicians

A demonstrator holds a smoke flare, as people attend the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris

The CGT union, which counted some 260 rallies in France, called for a ‘festive and combative’ May Day 

The origins of May Day stretch back to 1886, when a worker rally in Chicago , in the US, turned deadly

Socialist Party parliamentary leader Boris Vallaud condemned what he described as ‘serious and unacceptable violence’ against party activists and officials during a May Day march in Paris

Founder of French left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party Jean-Luc Melenchon delivers a speech during a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking International Workers’ Day, in Paris

The origins of May Day stretch back to 1886, when a worker rally in Chicago, in the US, turned deadly. 

Several labour activists were convicted of conspiracy to incite violence among other charges, with four hanged.

Unions later recommended that the workers be honored every year on May 1. 

In France, a political row over whether businesses should be allowed to open on the public holiday has continued to split workers.

The issue resurfaced after five bakers in the western Vendée region were taken to court for making staff work on on May Day last year. They were acquitted last week.

‘Until now, we’ve always worked on 1 May without any problems,’ Dominique Anract, president of the national bakery and pastry union, told FranceInfo radio.

According to the bakers’ union, closing on May 1 could cost the baking sector upwards of 70 million euros, as sales on this day tend to be 25 percent higher than on other public holidays. 

While many bakeries traditionally open on public holidays, May Day is the exception. 

CGT leader Sophie Binet said: ‘There are 364 other days to open. We can survive one day without a baguette. It’s very important that this day stays a holiday with no work.’ 

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