Skip to content

Fresh protests take place across France against pension age rise

France has seen further protests in response to the government's planned rise in retirement age.

Eight unions are supporting the strike, which has disrupted schools, public transport and oil refineries.

A reported 11,000 police were deployed to cover the demonstrations taking place in some 200 towns and cities.

31 January 2023

Emmanuel Macron

Explore More

A man dressed as a baked bean

Man dressed as baked bean rides first Eurostar

Gisèle Pelicot

Gisèle Pelicot arrives to give evidence at French mass rape trial

Flooding in Paris building

Buildings used by French politicians flooded in storm

Photo of former West Brom player

Cap honour for footballer killed in World War One

Birmingham & Black Country

Gisèle Pélicot speaking to reporter with crowd of microphones in front of her

'We'll have to fight to the end' - woman at centre of French rape case

A group of migrants, a number of whom are wearing life jackets, can be seen crowded into the boat.

Crowded boat attempts Channel journey a day after fatalities

Man climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Man seen climbing Eiffel Tower above Olympic rings

Workers wearing high-visibility clothing at the site where vandals targeted France's train network

BBC Verify analyses attacks on the French railway system

The world's longest rowing boat

World's longest rowing boat to carry Olympic torch

Macron and Starmer

What do European leaders think about the UK's new PM?

People seen swimming in the river Seine

The BBC joins Paris mayor for swim in cleaned-up Seine

Crowd celebrates French election result

Jubilation and stunned silence: France reacts to exit polls

Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Mélenchon: 'We are allowed to love our country'

LFI supporters in Stalingrad Square in Paris

Watch: Left alliance supporters react as vote projection revealed

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappé urges youth vote to counter 'extremists'

French President Emmanuel Macron giving address

Snap elections are an 'act of trust', says Macron

Veteran Harold Terens and his wife Jeanne

'Love isn't just for young people': D-Day veteran, 100, weds bride, 96

RAF A400 aircraft flypast

RAF flypast for D-Day veterans on ferry to France

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Armed men approaching a prison van

Watch: How the France prison van ambush unfolded

Police in France

Watch: How the France prison van ambush unfolded

A road sign for Blue Lagoon with flames in background

Lava engulfs Iceland's Blue Lagoon car park

A road to the world-famous Icelandic attraction was also damaged, as a nearby volcano erupted for the seventh time in less than a year.

Man in suit with black paint splashed over his face

Watch: Georgia election chief doused with paint

Official Giorgi Kalandarishvili was doused during the confirmation of a controversial poll.

Man holding a small child in flood water

Man seen rescuing trapped children in Valencia floods

The man and four children, including his daughter, were trapped inside at a English language school.

Three people help each other walk through water flooding down a street.

Watch: Málaga flood turns street into river

Video shows people in Calle Alcazabilla struggling to cross a road as flood water surges through it.

Government buildings in Dublin

Irish general election 2024 explained

A general election in the Republic of Ireland has officially been called for Friday 29 November.

Huge protest in Valencia

Protesters call on Valencia governor to resign after deadly floods

People are angry at the authorities' handling of floods which killed more than 200 people.

Simon Harris standing in front of microphones

Taoiseach Simon Harris calls Irish general election

A general election in the Republic of Ireland has officially been called for Friday 29 November.

Several cars piled up against a bridge in Spain

Watch: Cars washed away as new flash floods hit Spain

There were no immediate reports of casualties after heavy rain on Thursday.

Floor partially submerged in flood water inside airport terminal

Watch: Barcelona airport and highways hit by flooding

Video shows a flooded terminal inside El Prat airport and partially submerged cars on a highway.

Queen Letizia, with mud on her face, cries as she visits Paiporta in flood-hit Valencia

Queen Letizia in tears on visit to flood-hit Valencia

As anger flared in the stricken town of Paiporta, the Queen of Spain, with mud smeared on her face, was seen crying.

The BBC's Mark Lowen stands amidst scenes of chaos and flooding damage in Paiporta, the worst hit suburb of Valencia

BBC reporter in Valencia: 'The fury is extraordinary to see'

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Paiporta: "People are picking up mud, throwing it at the king"

King of Spain in a crowd with mud on him

Watch as crowd chant 'murderer' and throw objects at Spanish king

Spain's King Felipe VI is visiting the Valencia region, which has been hit by unprecedented floods.

Veronica Briz, a volunteer helping flood victims in Valencia, stands in front of an aid distribution queue

'This is my city, I have to help' - huge volunteer response in flood-hit Valencia

There has been a growing outpouring of solidarity in and around Valencia to help those affected by catastrophic flooding.

Collapse canopy in front of station with emergency vehicles

Aftermath of deadly Serbia railway station roof collapse

Several people have died, with dozens of rescue workers searching for survivors under the rubble.

Flood waters gushing down street in Spanish town

Video shows first wave of flood water gushing through town in Valencia

Cars were still driving along streets when the Valencian town of Paiporta was hit by devastating floods.

Nicky Schiller pointing at a water mark high on a wall, in the background the street is filled with mud

Valencia floods: 'There is mud everywhere here'

The BBC's Nicky Schiller says the La Torre area of the city has been completely devastated.

A head and shoulders crop of Bethany Bell as she reports live from flood devastated Paiporta, with a car and building behind her and what looks like silt from floodwaters on the ground

'We all know someone who has died'

The BBC has visited Paiporta, Valencia, where dozens of people have been confirmed dead.

Road partially collapsed and flooded area

Trail of destruction after Spanish floods

At least 158 people were killed following flash floods in southern Spain.

Nicky Schiller in Valencia at flooding scene

Valencia floods aftermath 'like a disaster movie'

The BBC's Nicky Schiller reports from the scene of Spanish flooding where cars are piled up.

Cars are piled in the street with other debris after flash floods hit parts of southern Spain

Watch: Helicopters and diggers used in rescues as flooding causes chaos in Spain

At least 95 people have died and more are missing after torrential rain caused devastating flash floods.