France protests turn violent in worst rioting seen in years

What started out as planned protests against the cost of living, declining public services and education funding in France, quickly devolved into violent riots across the country on Saturday.

Paris

In the French capital, a planned march between Place de la République and Bastille eventually became a citywide event. 

In some parts of Paris, police fired tear gas rounds as they retreated in the face of mostly young protesters, many of whom were dressed in black and wore hoodies, masks and goggles to protect against tear gas.

Rioters tried to break into the Galeries Lafayette department store, smashed up banks, ransacked a Lacoste store as well as other boutiques and looted an SFR mobile phone shop. Protesters had been setting objects ablaze all day, including numerous cars. Authorities shut numerous metro stations. 

Marseille

In the southern coastal city of Marseille, protesters dressed in black broke into city hall, damaging televisions, knocking a bust of Marianne - the symbol of France - to the ground and defaced the building with anarchic graffiti. No injuries were reported. Mayor Benoit Payan condemned the incident, saying the damage was relatively limited.

Authorities deployed two additional riot police companies to the city. A municipal police station was also targeted, with windows broken and smoke devices thrown inside, according to the prefecture.

Lyon

In the central-eastern city of Lyon, the tourism office was vandalised then set on fire during protests. Local media reported that shops around the city were looted. By 7pm local time on Saturday, authorities reported 20 arrests. 

Other cities

There was also unrest in Lille in the northeast, Toulouse in the southwest and Angers in the west. In the city of Limoges, the historic town hall, which was built in 1873 and survived two World Wars, was burned to the ground.

French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that “there is no place for violence in our republic,” adding that those who attacked public buildings and businesses would be prosecuted.

Police tactics have drawn criticism following injuries among demonstrators, including a teenager who lost a hand after picking up a stun grenade. The police watchdog is investigating at least two dozen allegations of police violence.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said more than 150 police officers had been injured in Saturday's protests, but did not say whether any protesters had been hurt. Left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon and Greens leader Marine Tondelier criticised the policing strategy, accusing authorities of fueling a confrontation.

 A critical time ahead of 2027 elections

The protests in France began last ‌month at high schools in Paris' working-class northern suburbs, where anger over teacher shortages and shabby facilities evolved into a broader movement focused on inequality, public spending and living standards.

Lecornu said the government would not be “intimidated” by Saturday's violence. He blamed the unrest on the “ultra-left” and criminals just months before a presidential election next year.

“To those who clearly want to use this violence as a 'warm-up' before the presidential election, I say clearly: We will not let ourselves be intimidated. No one will impose their political agenda through violence,” he wrote in a post on X.

Macron is entering the final stretch of his presidency, facing a fragmented political landscape and growing pressure over the economy.

France's efforts to reduce public debt have not reassured investors, pushing government borrowing costs to their highest levels in over two decades.

Read more: 

• France braces for nationwide protests over cost of living crisis
• France prepares for major protests as cost-of-living anger merges with student unrest
• The European Stakes of a Divided France

 

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