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watch now Protests in France against rising living costs and declining public services turned violent over the weekend, with more than 500,000 people taking to the streets. Hundreds of thousands of people marched through various cities and protested peacefully but others set fire to the city hall in Limoges, gutting the 19th-century building. Lyon's city tourist office was also set ablaze, supermarkets were looted and there were attacks on police officers and vehicles and luxury boutiques, in what was described as the country's worst unrest in years.
Officers used tear gas to restrain the crowds. One protester died of a heart attack, and another lost a hand. "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address to the nation on Sunday.
He blamed "unrestrained violence" on "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals." The demonstrations began last month as high school students across Paris lamented poor school conditions, including teacher shortages and unsatisfactory facilities. The demonstrations evolved into a nationwide protest. Protesters march through central Paris amid fires, smoke, police deployments and clashes during nationwide demonstrations against the high cost of living, on October 17, 2026 in Paris, France.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images During the demonstration on 17 October in Limoges protesters set fire to the town hall in Limoges Haute-Vienne in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France on 17 October 2026. Elise Cabane | Afp | Getty Images Close up shot of the fire of the bell tower of Limoges City Hall where during the demonstration on 17 October protesters set fire to the town hall in Limoges Haute-Vienne in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France on 17 October, 2026. Elise Cabane | Afp | Getty Images People clean a restaurant aftermath of destruction after a day of violent clashes between police and protesters amid a nationwide mobilisation over rising living costs, fuel prices and education funding in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Protestors climb on The Statue de la République at Place de la République on October 17, 2026 in Paris, France. Guy Smallman | Getty Images News | Getty Images Police take security precautions as streets across Paris show signs of damage. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images A view of fire as streets across Paris show signs of damage following a day of violent clashes between police and protesters.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Police clash with protesters during a demonstration amid a nationwide mobilisation over rising living costs, fuel prices and education funding in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Rioters set cars on fire at the Canal Saint Martin during severe unrest on October 17, 2026 in Paris, France. Remon Haazen | Getty Images News | Getty Images A protestor looks on as police clash with protesters during a demonstration amid a nationwide mobilisation over rising living costs, fuel prices and education funding in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Clashes occur between protesters and riot police during a march against the high cost of living in Paris as part of nationwide demonstrations in France, on October 17, 2026. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
Source: CNBC
