Protesting French farmers bring tractors to Paris

French farmers drove tractors into central Paris, reaching the Eiffel Tower as protests escalated against an EU-Mercosur trade deal and the government’s handling of a cattle disease. More demonstrators were expected to arrive in the capital as tensions mounted.

Reuters

8 January 2026 at 06:07:45

A tractor is parked in front of the National Assembly, as French farmers protest against the government's handling of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and the handling of the lumpy skin disease outbreak, in Paris, France, January 8, 2026.

Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Protesting French farmers have entered the centre of Paris and reached the Eiffel Tower on Thursday with more heading to the French capital, according to a Reuters witness.

Farmers from the Coordination Rurale union had called for protests in Paris amid anger against a free trade agreement between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur and the way the government is handling a cattle disease.

-Sybille de La Hamaide and Camille Raynaud/Reuters

Protesting French farmers have entered the centre of Paris and reached the Eiffel Tower on Thursday with more heading to the French capital, according to a Reuters witness.