France protests leave 1,800 arrested and historic buildings damaged

Violent Protests Across France Leave Hundreds Arrested and Historic Buildings Damaged

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday, denouncing rising living costs, high prices and poor conditions in schools.

Police arrested at least 1,800 demonstrators nationwide as clashes with officers turned violent and shops were looted.

Masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities.

In Limoges, the 19th‑century City Hall was engulfed in flames, its roof collapsed, and the fire was brought under control on Sunday after prefect Maurice Barate said the blaze was deliberately set.

President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with senior officials on Sunday afternoon and addressed the nation, stating that those who looted must repay the damage and that individuals seeking to undermine the Republic will be held accountable.

Macron attributed the unrest to “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far‑left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote on X that the right to protest is fundamental but that deliberately sowing disorder through violence is not, citing looting of hundreds of businesses in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux.

Authorities estimate about 550,000 participants, while organizers claim roughly 800,000 took part in the protests.

More than 500 police officers were deployed in the response, and multiple buildings across the country sustained damage.