Buildings burn and tear gas thrown during French education and cost of living rallies
Protesters clashed with police across France during nationwide rallies over education and the cost of living, as the country heads towards a presidential election.
In Paris, police fired a water cannon and tear gas after hundreds of protesters — most wearing face masks and some setting off fireworks — confronted them at several locations on Saturday.
The tourist office in Lyon was set on fire on Saturday, and offices of French broadcasters CNews and Europe 1 in Paris had windows broken when protesters threw projectiles, French media reported.
"We're taking the Bastille," one demonstrator shouted in Marseille as masked protesters rammed the door of the mayor's offices with security barriers.
The cry is a reference to the 1789 storming of a fortress during the French Revolution.
Protesters scuffle with police during a demonstration against rising living costs in Paris on Saturday. (AP: Emma Da Silva)
Several then entered the town hall, one spray painting an anarchist "A" symbol on an inside wall, before police intervened.
"We're here to protest the deplorable resources allocated to education and against police brutality," said Aude, a masked student who did not give her surname.
Thousands of demonstrators converged for a march through Paris, cutting main roads and prompting authorities to close metro stations in the centre.
Mounting weight on government
The protests are piling pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government after weeks of student demonstrations turned violent.
The country's Yellow Vest movement, which staged street protests against Mr Macron's government eight years ago over planned fuel tax hikes, had called for the "yellow and youth" demonstrations.
More than 600 demonstrations were planned across France, according to a website set up by organisers.
More than 32,000 protesters took part in some 140 actions nationwide outside Paris shortly after midday on Saturday and police detained more than 160 people nationwide, a source at the interior ministry told AFP.
A masked protester holds a French flag in front of French CRS riot police amid clashes at Place de la Nation. (Reuters: Yves Herman)
In Paris, where authorities have banned protests around government buildings, the Champs-Elysees shopping avenue and train stations, police detained around 60 people on Saturday morning.
Grief from police action
There has been public criticism over the police's perceived disproportionate response.
In the western city of Rennes, around 20 people set up a barricade using trash bins and large pallets on the outskirts of a shopping mall.
Christophe, a 47-year-old carpenter and former Yellow Vest protester who did not give his surname, said he was indignant after seeing what he viewed as police brutality against teenagers in recent weeks.
"We've reached the point where the repression is targeting our own children," he told AFP.
A protester holds a French flag during a demonstration against rising living costs in Lyon on Saturday. (AP: Laurent Cipriani)
"At the end of the month, I have nothing left. Prices are going up but wages aren't," said Franck, a civil servant in his forties who would not give his surname.
Franck was protesting in the central town of Gueret with around 300 people, a quarter of them high school students.
"We can't take it anymore, we're suffocating," he added.
Fuel price hike
Around 45 per cent of French people are worried about the cost of living and inflation, according to a survey of 2,000 people published earlier this month.
Purchasing power in France has dwindled since 2024, while the price of fuel has soared since the start of the US-Iran war earlier this year.
The eurozone's second largest economy is struggling to reign in its public debt, projected next year to reach more than 120 per cent of GDP, which is double the EU limit of 60 per cent.
Economists say significant debt reduction will come only with major reforms, such as sharply curtailing France's generous pension system.
President Macron on Friday evening called "for calm and respect", adding the right to protest went hand in hand with "respect for people and property".
Jean-Luc Melenchon (right) leader of French far-left opposition party marched in a demonstration by French high school and university students. (Reuters: Sarah Meyssonnier)
France's far-left and far-right parties have both capitalised upon the unrest.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, has backed the student protests and marched in one demonstration.
Marine Le Pen, who leads in opinion polls for the presidential race, has positioned her National Rally party on the side of the police.
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