Unionists use flares during a new round of strikes and protests against the caretaker government and cost-cutting Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Paris. In Paris, thousands of workers, retirees and students marched on Thursday afternoon from Place d'Italie. The Eiffel Tower informed visitors in a statement it was closed due to the strikes. The nationwide strikes, called by France’s major unions, are the latest of a series of protests that started last month fueled by political turmoil and heated budget talks. “It’s true, it’s the first time that there are three days of strikes and protests in a month without a government or budget.