French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced the public's "anger" and "shame" over nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions, which have resulted in at least 2,400 arrests. In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, Macron promised that rioters and looters would "pay for their crimes."
Macron blames far-left activists for violence
Macron echoed other government officials in attributing much of the violence to far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos. "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," he said. He denounced "unrestrained violence" by "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals."
Earlier, Macron held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities. He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary.
City Hall in Limoges set ablaze
In the central town of Limoges, flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building. Maurice Barate, prefect of the Haute-Vienne region, said a group of "radical troublemakers" broke into City Hall while elected officials, employees, security personnel and members of the public were inside. "Despite the presence of so many people, they deliberately set the building on fire. It is an extremely serious and unspeakable act," he said.
Hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday at the Place de la Republique in Paris amid a heavy police presence. Officers used tear gas as tensions flared sporadically, with small groups trying to set bicycles and rubbish bins on fire.
Interior minister defends right to protest
Interior minister Laurent Nunez wrote on X: "The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not," citing the looting of hundreds of businesses in cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux.
Authorities estimated Saturday's marches had a turnout of about 550,000, while organisers put it at 800,000. Demonstrators answered calls from a labour union, student organisations and activists hoping to revive the "yellow vest" movement, which emerged in 2018 to protest against social injustice. The arrest tally reported on Sunday approached the nearly 2,000 recorded nationwide during a single day of yellow-vest protests in December 2018.
Arrests and injuries reported across France
Paris police said 855 people were arrested in the capital region, and the city's prosecutor's office said 557 remained in police custody. One person died of a heart attack, Paris police said in a statement, without providing details. Paris prosecutors' office said it was investigating.
Around Paris' Place de la République on Sunday morning, dislodged cobblestones, shattered storefronts and broken glass marked the aftermath. Looting and damage were reported around the square and in some other tourist and shopping areas. In the southern port city of Marseille, some protesters briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall, and a group wearing hoods and masks damaged a police station. In Lyon, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.
In eastern France, the Mulhouse prosecutor's office said an investigation has been opened after a 17-year-old girl was injured during the protests and lost an eye. On Saturday, another investigation was opened after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne. The injuries come as police have drawn sharp scrutiny over their use of grenades and other riot-control weapons during recent demonstrations.
Political reactions and next steps
Political leaders across the spectrum sought to capitalise on the fallout of Saturday's riots, looking ahead to next spring's presidential election. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen lashed out at far-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon, who joined the Paris march. "Looting, ransacking, destroying and attacking law enforcement: Rioters have again spoiled the October 17 demonstrations for the protection of purchasing power," she wrote on X. Her running mate, Jordan Bardella, said on X that "if the silent majority of French decide it, we will re-establish order for the long-term."
Melenchon traded barbs with the prime minister, accusing him of "playing with fire" and alleging that "by banking on degradation, you have only succeeded in uniting all youths and workers' unions." He said: "My message is clear: those who share our fight have no business in looting or destruction."
US President Donald Trump posted "France is burning!" on his Truth Social platform, apparently linking the unrest to "the immigration of people from an entirely different world," adding "Close your borders and take control, before it is too late!" French authorities and police have not linked immigrants to the rioting and have repeatedly attributed some of the violence to "radical far-left groups" and other people who joined to loot.
Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced the creation of an emergency unit to support businesses assess the damage. "The scale of the damage is considerable and unprecedented," he wrote in an open letter. "Paris is a city of freedoms, debate and demonstrations. It must remain so. But it must also be a city where everyone can work and run a business safely." 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."
