In the capital, several hundred opponents of the head of state gathered on the square of the City Hall at 20:00, according to an AFP journalist. They unsheathed pots, lids and metal cake molds for a cacophonous concert, punctuated by "Macron resign" and other protest songs.
For Pierre Noël, 28, the "casserolades" are "symbolic": "there are plenty of pots and pans in the government," points out this developer, trade unionist Solidaires Informatique.
A good part of the demonstrators then headed to the Gare de Lyon with the objective of welcoming the Minister of National Education Pap Ndiaye back from a trip to the capital of Gaul.
Composed mainly of young people, the crowd sang anti-fascist and anti-Macron songs in the main hall of the station facing a cordon of police. The minister was able to leave the station without passing in front of the demonstrators.
The demonstrators then set off in a wild demonstration pacing the streets of the east of the capital, overturning garbage cans and bicycles and sometimes setting them on fire.
In a game of cat and mouse, the police went after groups of protesters.
Concert of pots and pans in Rennes on April 24, 2023 © Damien MEYER / AFP
In Rennes, several hundred people also gathered to protest, improvising a concert of pots and pans before strolling through the city center.
"I am not demonstrating for myself but for future generations (...) because when I see how I enjoyed retirement, I wish them the same," Bernard, 69, a retired telecoms worker, told AFP.
In Nantes, about 500 people demonstrated in the city center to the sound of pots and pans, according to AFP journalists. Gathered in front of the prefecture of Nantes, they then rushed towards the course of 50 hostages, the main artery of downtown Nantes.
Pots and pans and their lids, cans, raclette pans and bass drum, several hundred demonstrators, 500 according to the prefecture, also met in front of the Lyon City Hall to make themselves heard against the pension reform before leaving in procession.
In Marseille, a few hundred people gathered in front of the City Hall. Many pensioners were among them, AFP journalists found.
The rally in Bordeaux brought together about 200 people in front of the City Hall.
Concert of pots and pans in Marseille on April 24, 2023 © NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
The Attac association behind the calls for rallies claimed more than 400 actions throughout the France.
In recent days, the movements of several ministers have been disrupted by concerts of pots and pans in protest against the pension reform.
© 2023 AFP