French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned rioting and looting during nationwide protests over rising living costs and poor conditions in schools, as authorities reported around 1,800 arrests and extensive damage to public buildings and businesses.
In a televised address on Sunday, Macron said those responsible for the destruction would be held accountable. He also warned against what he described as attempts to undermine the French Republic, blaming the violence on radical far-left groups and criminal elements.
“Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said.
The president’s remarks followed an emergency meeting with senior government officials after masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings in several cities on Saturday. He said local authorities had been instructed to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses, including by banning demonstrations when necessary.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, in central France, where fire engulfed the 19th-century city hall, causing its roof to collapse and severely damaging the historic building.
Violence and looting were also reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. In Paris, police used tear gas as clashes flared around Place de la République, where protesters had gathered again on Sunday. Streets around the square were littered with broken glass, damaged storefronts and debris from makeshift barricades.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said around 1,800 people had been arrested nationwide. Paris police reported 855 arrests in the capital region, while the city’s prosecutor’s office said 557 people remained in police custody.
Authorities estimated that approximately 550,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstrations, while organisers put the turnout at around 800,000. The protests were backed by trade unions, student organisations and activists seeking to revive the “yellow vest” movement that emerged in 2018 against social and economic inequality.
Although many demonstrations began peacefully, violence broke out in several locations, with groups looting businesses, setting fires and attacking public infrastructure. One person died of a heart attack, Paris police said, while prosecutors opened an investigation into the death.
The unrest has also triggered a political confrontation ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticised Macron’s government as exhausted and incapable of responding effectively to the crisis. Meanwhile, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of escalating tensions, while distancing his movement from looting and destruction.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the unrest, posting “France is burning!” on his Truth Social platform and linking the situation to immigration. French authorities, however, have not identified immigration as the cause of the violence, instead pointing to radical far-left groups and individuals involved in looting.
The protests have also renewed scrutiny of police tactics. Investigations were opened after a 17-year-old girl lost an eye during demonstrations in Mulhouse and a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne. The circumstances surrounding both injuries are under investigation.
The unrest has intensified pressure on Macron’s government to address public anger over living costs and public services while restoring order and protecting the right to peaceful protest.