More than 855 individuals were arrested in the French capital region following violent clashes with officers and rampant looting during a protest march. The demonstration, which attracted around 110,000 people, was held to voice outrage over soaring living costs and substandard conditions in schools, but turned into what many online called the "mouth of hell."
Violent clashes and looting across France
Saturday's demonstrations across France were marred by violent confrontations, fires, and looting. Authorities reported that groups of masked protesters targeted public buildings, including town halls and local government offices. Officials estimated that about 550,000 people participated in protests nationwide, while organisers put the figure closer to 800,000.
One individual died of a heart attack, according to a statement from Paris police, who did not provide further details. French media reported that a protester suffered a medical emergency in the street during the march. The statement also confirmed that thirteen police and gendarmerie officers, along with two firefighters, were injured.
City landmarks damaged and Macron condemns violence
Sunday morning saw Paris' Place de la République littered with dislodged cobblestones, shattered shop fronts, and broken glass — stark reminders of the previous day's chaos. Reports of looting and damage emerged from around the square and other tourist and shopping hotspots in the city centre.
French President Emmanuel Macron fired back on Sunday night and said, during an emergency televised statement: "Looking at these images, we all asked ourselves: what is going through their minds?"
"How can French people do this to France? Why burn down Limoges City Hall, the tourist office in Lyon, storm Marseille City Hall, or attack the prefect's residence in Bordeaux? How could they go this far? Nothing justifies this.
"It is inexplicable and unforgivable. Tonight, we all feel anger and shame. Seeing the streets of our cities so devastated is unbearable."
Police and officials blame radical groups
Police reported that groups ranging from several hundred to over 1,000 individuals staged unauthorised marches across central Paris on Saturday. "By late afternoon, a new phase began with the arrival of large numbers of people whose sole aim was to steal and loot, taking advantage of the unrest," police stated.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez attributed some of the violence to "radical far-left groups" and said others later joined to loot.
"Peaceful demonstrations have every place in our Republic. Arson, looting and attacks do not," Lecornu said in a message posted on X.
Nunez tried to resign this morning (Monday) but it was rejected outright by Macron. In trying to resign, he said: "I have a sense of responsibility to the public, and given the damage that was done, it was only right that I offer my resignation."
The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon, the country's three largest cities, requested a meeting with the prime minister in the coming days "given the extent of the damage and the seriousness of the situation."
In the central town of Limoges, the City Hall was set on fire, gutting the 19th-century building and collapsing the roof. Haute-Vienne prefect Maurice Barate told LCI television that the blaze, which was under control Sunday, was deliberate.
