Thousands of people took to the streets across France on Saturday in climate marches after a summer of deadly heatwaves, wildfires and drought. Organisers said 120,000 people joined over 260 rallies from Paris to Bordeaux and Die.

In Paris, about 8,000 people gathered at Place de la République, according to organisers. The march was turned into a static rally because of Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Protesters carried emergency blankets, the symbol of a record-breaking summer.

France endured its hottest summer on record, with 53 days of extreme heat and wildfires burning over 96,000 hectares, according to Météo-France. More than 8,000 people died from heat-related causes between late May and late August.

The marches demand a climate ‘Marshall Plan’ — urgent action on fossil fuels and adaptation funding in the 2027 national budget. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg urged people to join the protests earlier this week.

Police counted 2,000 marchers in Montpellier and 500 in Marseille. In Clermont-Ferrand, a car broke through a march, lightly injuring four people. The movement says the fight will continue into the 2027 presidential campaign.