Mélenchon declares ‘Bastille retaken’ after major student rally in Paris

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard left France Unbowed party took to X on Thursday to declare the Bastille had been "retaken", after students staged demonstrations across the country — including a major rally at Paris' infamous Place de la Bastille.

Meanwhile, later in the day, France's Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced in an interview with broadcaster TF1 later that 3,000 substitute teacherswould be deployed to schools facing critical shortages.

Thursday's major protests were part of the student-led movement which began on 17 September in the suburbs of Paris, before gradually developing into a broader campaign addressing issues including long school days, overcrowded schools, teacher absences.

The mass gathering which took place at the place de la Bastille started off peacefully, before clashes with the police later erupted, with tear gas and a water cannon fired at protesters.

On social media, Mélenchon stated "powerful demonstration by the youth who carry their demands in the most beautiful way possible! Immense pride. See you on Tuesday, October 13, at the call of the youth unions and workers."

The storming of the Bastille in 1789 marked a major turning point in the French Revolution and became a symbol of the people’s resistance to royal authority.

The leader of France Unbowed and his allies have been accused by their opponents of stoking unrest and manipulating young people for political gain. Mélenchon has rejected these criticisms, underlining that despite the fact that his party supports the protests, they were independently launched by students.

The student and professional union coalition has called for another day of protests and strikes on 13 October, with a further major mobilisation planned for 17 October.