To protest against Emmanuel Macron, re-elected for a second term a year ago, rallies sometimes bringing together hundreds of people took place Monday, April 24 throughout France.

In the capital, several hundred opponents of the head of state gathered on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville at 20 p.m., 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 aim of welcoming the Minister of National Education Pap Ndiaye back from a trip to Lyon.

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 rushed into 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 demonstrators.

Call of the Attac association

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, 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.

The Attac association, which initiated 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.

With AFP

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app