Protests over rising living costs, deteriorating public services and declining school conditions turned violent across France on Saturday, October 17, leaving 150 police officers injured and more than 1,200 people arrested. Buildings were set on fire, businesses looted and riot police clashed with demonstrators in several cities.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said around 550,000 people participated nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while the CGT trade union estimated total turnout at 800,000.
Historic Buildings Damaged, Shops Looted
In Limoges, a fire described as a catastrophe for French heritage devastated much of the 143-year-old town hall after masked protesters reportedly set a police vehicle ablaze, smashed windows and entered the building.
A 143-year-old French landmark is destroyed after rioters set it ablaze, causing its roof to collapse into the floors below.
Local officials say two-thirds of the Limoges Town Hall is gone as violent anti-government agitators torched the building’s exterior, in what the officials called a "catastrophe for heritage."
The violence comes as more than half a million demonstrators took to the streets nationwide, over the soaring cost of living enter their fourth week across France. Authorities have reported roughly 400 arrests.
And the unrest is spreading beyond Limoges. See which other government buildings rioters targeted: https://t.co/9nj3XP2exX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 18, 2026
Fires also struck Lyon’s tourist office, while town halls and other public buildings were targeted in Marseille and Lille.
Dozens of shops were looted across Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille and other cities, including luxury boutiques, supermarkets, pharmacies and electronics stores.
Police used tear gas and water cannon in Paris as clashes escalated. A young man in Saint-Etienne reportedly lost a hand after an explosion involving a grenade.
Police conduct also came under scrutiny, with a watchdog investigating allegations of excessive force.
Why the Protests Began
The demonstrations grew from student-led protests over staff shortages and deteriorating secondary schools, expanding into a wider movement against soaring petrol, energy and food prices and declining public services.
Trade unions and supporters of the Yellow Vest movement, which emerged in 2018 over fuel costs and social inequality, joined the rallies.
President Emmanuel Macron vowed to prosecute those responsible for arson and looting.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu condemned the violence, while political leaders traded accusations ahead of next April’s presidential election.
Smaller protests also took place in Belgium, Portugal and Italy.
