France protests turn violent: Fires, looting and 1,200 arrests; Macron vows action

Cars were set alight, businesses were ransacked and fires broke out in public buildings, including a town hall in Limoges, where part of the roof collapsed

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed strict action against those involved in arson, looting and attacks on public buildings after violent clashes erupted across France during nationwide demonstrations against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services.

More than 1,200 people were arrested as police clashed with protesters in Paris and several other cities on Saturday, with dozens of shops and public buildings damaged.The unrest, which also drew support from students protesting against school conditions and alleged excessive police force, saw officers deploy tear gas and water cannon to disperse masked demonstrators. Cars were set alight, businesses were ransacked and fires broke out in public buildings, including a town hall in Limoges, where part of the roof collapsed.

France's interior minister Laurent Nuñez said 60 law enforcement officers were injured, including two who were taken to hospital unconscious.

In a post on X on Sunday, Macron condemned the violence and backed security forces, saying those responsible for attacking public institutions and businesses would face prosecution and punishment. The unrest comes amid growing political uncertainty ahead of the next presidential election, with protesters accusing the government of failing to address economic pressures and public grievances.

Macron, Lecornu warn rioters of consequences

"No room for violence in our Republic," Macron wrote on X, adding that those who had attacked government offices, businesses and town halls would be "prosecuted and punished".He also expressed support for law enforcement personnel, describing them as guarantors of the right to demonstrate peacefully. Macron said the country would stand united against what he called "sowers of chaos", accusing them of seeking to undermine institutions and prevent peaceful protesters from voicing their demands.Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also condemned the violence, blaming what he described as "ultraleft groups" and opportunistic rioters for orchestrating disturbances in several cities.

"Today, ultraleft groups have orchestrated violence in several French cities; delinquents have joined in to pillage and destroy," Lecornu wrote on X.He said police officers and gendarmes had faced violence of extreme intensity while protecting the public, adding that the government would not allow anyone to impose a political agenda through violence.

Lecornu also backed the proposed "pay-the-damagers" bill, which seeks to make those responsible for destruction bear the financial cost of the damage."Public money is scarce: it must fund our public services, not endlessly repair what vandals destroy. It is up to them to bear the cost," he said.

Clashes spread across French cities

According to France 24, violence broke out in several cities after hundreds of thousands of people joined the demonstrations.

The CGT trade union estimated that around 550,000 people took part nationwide, although authorities had not immediately released their own estimate.In Paris, riot police used tear gas and water cannon against groups throwing fireworks and other projectiles. A bar was set on fire, parked vehicles were torched and looting was reported at several businesses. An Apple store in Lille was among the shops targeted, while a tourist office in Lyon was set ablaze.

Town halls in Marseille and Lille were also vandalised.

In Saint-Etienne, a male demonstrator reportedly lost a hand after a police crowd-control grenade exploded, according to a police source cited by AFP. The incident followed a similar injury to a 15-year-old during an earlier protest in Lens.Despite the violence, many demonstrators marched peacefully, calling for higher wages, lower prices and better public services. Some protesters said they were frustrated by the government's failure to address their concerns.