Thousands of protesters opposing large-scale irrigation projects, known as 'megabasins', converged on the port of La Rochelle on Saturday.

The demonstration, which followed a thwarted protest near Poitiers on Friday, aimed to symbolically block the port and denounce agro-industry practices.

Early Saturday morning, about 200 protesters entered the La Pallice agro-industrial terminal, establishing a 'farmers' blockade' with tractors.

Police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The protesters argue that these irrigation projects primarily benefit export-oriented agriculture, as evidenced by La Pallice being France's second-largest cereal export port.

Authorities have banned gatherings in La Rochelle until Sunday morning, deploying over 3,000 police and gendarmes to maintain order.