Numerous, massive marches where hope seems to have replaced the resignation of the last few years. First-time demonstrators marching alongside seasoned protesters. Sporadic scuffles quickly contained. And the gap between the government s participation figures and the organizers is widening. Read more French pension reform: Government, Parliament and the streets engage in uncertain confrontation The argument over numbers cannot disguise the success of the second day of protests against pension reform, which on Tuesday, January 31, brought together 1,272,000 demonstrators throughout France according to the police, and 2.8 million according to the CGT union. This is the biggest crowd fighting a social reform since 1995. In Paris, there were 150,000 demonstrators according to the police headquarters, while the CGT, on behalf of the inter-union group, counted 500,000. Between 25,000 and 45,000 in Lyon. Whatever the numbers, participation was up almost everywhere, in Marseille (40,000), Nantes (28,000), Rennes (23,000), Montpellier (25,000), and also in smaller towns such as Calais (5,000) and Périgueux (7,600). And there was no weakening in Toulouse (34,000), Bordeaux (16,500), Rouen (14,000) or Strasbourg (10,500). After a successful first day on January 19, the movement is clearly taking root nationally. The union leaders congratulated the protestors before the start of the march in Paris. Secretary general of the CFDT union Laurent Berger welcomed one of "the largest demonstrations organized in our country for decades." "Everywhere, wére seeing workers of all kinds, clearly expressing their rejection of this reform, they are adamant," added the head of the CGT, Philippe Martinez.

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Numerous, massive marches where hope seems to have replaced the resignation of the last few years. First-time demonstrators marching alongside seasoned protesters. Sporadic scuffles quickly contained. And the gap between the government s participation figures and the organizers is widening. Read more French pension reform: Government, Parliament and the streets engage in uncertain confrontation The argument over numbers cannot disguise the success of the second day of protests against pension reform, which on Tuesday, January 31, brought together 1,272,000 demonstrators throughout France according to the police, and 2.8 million according to the CGT union. This is the biggest crowd fighting a social reform since 1995. In Paris, there were 150,000 demonstrators according to the police headquarters, while the CGT, on behalf of the inter-union group, counted 500,000. Between 25,000 and 45,000 in Lyon. Whatever the numbers, participation was up almost everywhere, in Marseille (40,000), Nantes (28,000), Rennes (23,000), Montpellier (25,000), and also in smaller towns such as Calais (5,000) and Périgueux (7,600). And there was no weakening in Toulouse (34,000), Bordeaux (16,500), Rouen (14,000) or Strasbourg (10,500). After a successful first day on January 19, the movement is clearly taking root nationally. The union leaders congratulated the protestors before the start of the march in Paris. Secretary general of the CFDT union Laurent Berger welcomed one of "the largest demonstrations organized in our country for decades." "Everywhere, wére seeing workers of all kinds, clearly expressing their rejection of this reform, they are adamant," added the head of the CGT, Philippe Martinez.