France Reels from Worst Unrest in Years as Nationwide Protests Turn Violent

PARIS, October 18 – France is assessing the damage from its most violent unrest in years after nationwide demonstrations against the rising cost of living and declining public services turned into riots on Saturday. A town hall was set on fire, shops were looted, and buildings were defaced as violent groups clashed with police in cities across the country.

One protester died of cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris, where police made a record 855 arrests in the capital region. Across France, about 1,800 people were detained. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than 500 police officers were injured and warned that “nothing can justify” the violence.

Authorities estimated that around 550,000 people joined marches in dozens of cities, while organisers put the figure closer to 800,000. The mobilisation brought together a month-long student movement, which began over run-down school buildings, teacher shortages and long school days, and wider public anger over living costs and the state of public services.

Paris police said the protests changed character by late afternoon, as large numbers of people arrived intent on looting and took advantage of the disorder. On Sunday morning, loose cobblestones, smashed storefronts and broken glass lay scattered around the Place de la République.

The worst damage was in the central city of Limoges, where the 143-year-old city hall was partly destroyed in an arson attack. Video footage showed its spire collapsing in the flames, and municipal workers began assessing the damage on Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence late on Saturday. “No room for violence in our Republic,” he wrote on X, adding that those who attacked prefectures, businesses and town halls would be prosecuted and punished.

The unrest has added pressure on Macron and his government, which is preparing for difficult budget negotiations ahead of next year’s presidential election. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would not give in to intimidation and blamed the violence on the far left and criminal elements.