France witnessed another day of violent protests on Saturday, with demonstrators taking to the streets over economic hardship, the rising cost of living and concerns over conditions in schools.
At least 1,200 people were arrested as an estimated 550,000 took part in demonstrations across the country, amid what the French government described as an “escalation in violence”, the BBC reported.
In Paris, riot police clashed with protesters, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, according to reports.
Several buildings were damaged by fire in different parts of the country. In Limoges, a major blaze at the town hall reportedly caused part of the roof to collapse.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets, chanting slogans such as “Everyone hates the police” and “Macron, resign”.
According to Le Monde, groups of youths roamed city streets during and after the demonstrations, intermittently confronting police, setting fires and targeting shuttered shops to loot goods from their shelves.
Shops Targeted in Several French Cities
Numerous businesses, including supermarkets, pharmacies, luxury boutiques, clothing stores, opticians, cosmetics outlets and consumer electronics retailers, were reportedly targeted during the unrest.
The affected cities included Paris, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Limoges, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg.
The incidents added to concerns over public safety and property damage as protests over economic and social grievances escalated into clashes and looting in several locations.
French Prime Minister Condemns Violence
Reacting to the unrest, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu criticised attempts to hold police leadership responsible for the violence.
“Holding police chiefs accountable for the violence is a dangerous and cynical reversal of responsibilities,” Lecornu wrote on X.
Les manifestations pacifiques ont toute leur place dans notre République. Les incendies, les pillages et les attaques n’en ont aucune. Aujourd’hui, des groupes d’ultragauche ont organisé la violence dans plusieurs villes de France ; des délinquants s’y sont mêlés pour piller et détruire. Au moment où certains cherchent à jeter l’opprobre sur nos forces de l’ordre, je veux dire aux Français qu’ils peuvent être fiers de leurs policiers et de leurs gendarmes. Ils ont affronté une violence d'une extrême intensité pour protéger nos concitoyens et ils méritent tout notre soutien. À ceux qui clairement veulent faire de ces violences "un tour de chauffe" avant l’élection présidentielle, je le dis clairement : nous ne nous laisserons pas intimider. Personne n’imposera son agenda politique par la violence. Les consignes données sont claires : empêcher les exactions, protéger les biens et les personnes, interpeller leurs auteurs et les déférer à la justice. Nous irons jusqu’au bout de la discussion du projet de loi « casseurs-payeurs ». L’argent public est rare : il doit financer nos services publics, pas réparer sans fin ce que des casseurs détruisent. À eux d’en supporter le coût.
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) October 17, 2026
Addressing political opponents, he also criticised calls for an end to looting that did not clearly identify those responsible for the acts of vandalism.
“You call on those who share your fight not to take part in the looting. So start by clearly identifying the culprits—that is, those who loot and vandalize. You cannot call for an end to the violence while providing excuses to those who commit it. This is YOUR political responsibility,” he said.
Lecornu further stressed that arson, looting and attacks had no place in the French Republic.
The demonstrations have highlighted mounting public discontent over economic pressures and social conditions, while the scale of the arrests and reported damage has intensified debate over public order and the government's response to the unrest.
