The highly anticipated 10th September protests that were meant to “block everything” across France fell flat in Nice, with barely 100 demonstrators gathering throughout the day, spread out in different locations, despite weeks of preparation and coordination efforts.
At around 2:15pm, approximately 50-60 protesters assembled at Place Garibaldi, but the gathering lasted only 15 minutes before participants moved to the Palais des Expositions to join another small group of roughly 50 people. The quick relocation appeared to be a response to the disappointing turnout.
At around 3:30pm, the combined group of approximately 100 people marched through the Garibaldi area, shouting slogans and holding banners.
Earlier predictions had suggested multiple protest sites across Nice, including Place Masséna and various roundabouts in the Alpes-Maritimes region. However, the reality on the ground told a different story.
The only notable student activity occurred in Valrose campus, where about 60 students gathered for a morning blockage before police intervened to clear the area.
Stark contrast with Paris violence
While Nice remained largely calm, the situation in Paris was dramatically different. The capital saw massive crowds and significant police intervention, with protestors facing what organisers described as illegal containment tactics.
The movement’s official X account posted footage of police charges, stating: “New police charge in the heart of the capital: demonstrators are simply trying to GET OUT of an ILLEGAL KETTLE and are being violently pushed back! These confinements are against the law, but they continue to use them. Enough is enough. We will not be silent in the face of these shameful and illegal practices. The anger is only growing.”
🚨 PARIS 🚨
🔥 Nouvelle charge policière en plein cœur de la capitale : des manifestants tentent simplement de SORTIR d’une NASSSE ILLÉGALE et se font repousser violemment !
⚡ Ces enfermements sont contraires au droit, mais ils continuent à les utiliser pour écraser la… pic.twitter.com/vR2N7wNAFd
— Bloquons Tout ! – 10 Septembre 2025 (@bloquonstout) September 10, 2025
The official account’s post on X
The contrast between the two cities highlights the uneven nature of the nationwide protest movement, despite its organised social media presence and backing from unions like CGT and political parties such as La France Insoumise.
The ‘Bloquons Tout’ movement had promised to shut down France in response to government austerity measures, pension freezes, and cuts to public services. Despite coordination through Telegram groups and local planning, the call for action resonated far less on the Côte d’Azur than in other parts of France.
Transport disruptions were minimal in the region, with only five train itineraries cancelled and almost no disruption in tram services, contrary to earlier warnings about potential blockades.
French PM François Bayrou resigns after historic parliamentary defeat
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Main photo credit Monaco Life.