French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned widespread rioting and looting across France, expressing anger and shame after nationwide protests over rising living costs and poor conditions in schools left buildings damaged and more than 2,400 people arrested.
In a televised address on Sunday, Macron warned that those responsible for destruction would be held accountable, as authorities faced mounting pressure to restore order following violent clashes in several cities.
“Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said.
The French president blamed much of the violence on radical far left activists and criminal groups, accusing them of attacking police officers and public buildings in an attempt to create chaos.
Macron had earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials following a night of unrest in which masked groups reportedly set fires and attacked municipal buildings. He instructed local authorities to coordinate with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses, including banning demonstrations where necessary.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, central France, where flames engulfed the city’s historic 19th-century City Hall. The fire caused the roof to collapse and nearly destroyed the building.
Police Clash With Protesters in Paris
Tensions remained high in Paris on Sunday, where hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Place de la République under a heavy police presence. Officers fired tear gas as sporadic confrontations broke out, with some individuals attempting to set bicycles and rubbish bins on fire.
The previous day’s demonstrations attracted an estimated 550,000 participants, according to authorities, while organizers put the figure at approximately 800,000.
The protests were organized by labor unions, student groups and activists seeking to revive the Yellow Vest movement, which emerged in 2018 in response to economic hardship and social inequality.
Paris police reported 855 arrests in the capital region, while prosecutors said 557 people remained in custody. Across the country, the total number of arrests exceeded 2,400, approaching the scale of arrests recorded during major Yellow Vest demonstrations in December 2018.
Police also reported that one person died after suffering a heart attack in Paris. The city’s prosecutor’s office said an investigation had been opened, although further details were not immediately available.
Streets around Place de la République were left covered with broken glass, displaced paving stones and damaged storefronts. Looting and property destruction were also reported in other shopping and tourist areas.
Protesters Express Shock Over Destruction
The violence sparked concern among residents, including some who supported the demonstrations but condemned the destruction.
Marie Peyreigne, a 57 year old government employee, said she was stunned by the scale of the violence.
Jean Foissy, 74, said he had intended to join the protest but returned home after encountering riot police and fires across the area.
“I was very scared,” he said, describing the destruction as deeply upsetting.
Margaux Eude, 26, also expressed disappointment, saying she supported the protest movement but had not expected it to escalate into widespread disorder.
She warned that the actions of troublemakers risked undermining the movement’s demands and damaging its public image.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the right to peaceful demonstrations while condemning violence and looting, which he said had affected hundreds of businesses across the country.
Political Leaders Trade Accusations
The unrest has intensified political tensions ahead of France’s next presidential election, expected in spring 2027.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized Macron’s government, describing it as exhausted and incapable of responding effectively to the crisis.
Meanwhile, left wing political figure Jean Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of worsening the situation. However, Mélenchon also condemned looting and destruction, insisting that those who supported the protest movement should not engage in such acts.
The violence also drew a reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump, who wrote “France is burning!” on his Truth Social platform and appeared to link the unrest to immigration. He urged French authorities to close the country’s borders and take control of the situation.
However, French authorities and police had not linked immigrants to the rioting.
As the government works to restore order, the unrest has renewed debate over the cost of living, public services, social inequality and the right to protest in France.
The coming weeks will test Macron’s government’s ability to address public anger while preventing further violence and protecting communities and businesses across the country.
