17.10.2026 20:10
Reactions to the high cost of living and the education system in France have once again stirred up the streets. Protests growing with calls to revive the Yellow Vests movement turned into violent incidents in many cities. In Lyon, a 174-year-old historic building was engulfed in flames, while the city hall in Marseille was raided, and in Paris the headquarters of a television channel was targeted. Across the country, 272 people were detained.
Protests against the high cost of living, problems in the education system and disruptions in public services in France have intensified. In demonstrations that grew with calls to revive the Yellow Vests movement, a historic building was set on fire in Lyon, while protesters who entered the city hall in Marseille damaged property. In the capital Paris, the headquarters of the CNews television channel was also attacked. The Ministry of the Interior announced that 272 people had been detained across the country.
174-YEAR-OLD HISTORIC BUILDING SET ON FIRE IN LYON
The historic tourism information center located in Bellecour Square, one of Lyon's landmark spots, was vandalized and set on fire during the demonstrations. Flames rising from the building caused panic in the area. Police intervened with tear gas against groups throwing fireworks and various objects at security forces.
The structure, built in 1852 by architect Tony Desjardins, had previously been used as a military barracks and police station. It was reported that firefighters had difficulty responding to the fire due to ongoing clashes in the area.
Lyon Mayor Gregory Doucet condemned the attack on the historic structure and emphasized that public buildings are the common heritage of city residents.
THEY ENTERED THE CITY HALL IN MARSEILLE
In Marseille, a large number of protesters forced the entrance door of the city hall in the Old Port area and entered. The group, chanting 'The revolution has begun, we are taking the Bastille,' damaged items in the entrance hall. The bust of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, was also toppled, and graffiti was written on the walls.
Security forces soon removed the protesters from the building. Clashes also occurred between police and demonstrators on Canebiere Street in the city center. Windows of a municipal police station were broken, and smoke bombs were thrown inside the building.
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan condemned the events and said, 'This is not my understanding of the Republic.' Stating that the violence harmed the students' demands, Payan announced that he had met with President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to request security reinforcements.
ATTACK ON CNEWS HEADQUARTERS IN PARIS
In the capital Paris, the headquarters of the CNews television channel, located in the same building as Europe 1 radio, was also targeted during the protests. About 100 people gathered in front of the channel, which is affiliated with billionaire Vincent Bollore's media group. After some people damaged the building, police intervened.
Following the incidents, 21 people were detained. No statement was made confirming that the attack on the channel, which had previously been warned by France's media regulator Arcom over the unbalanced representation of political views due to its broadcasting policy, was directly carried out because of its broadcasting policy.
TENSION ALSO IN BORDEAUX AND RENNES
The protests spread to other cities in the country. In Bordeaux, demonstrators entered the Chamber of Commerce and Industry building, and tensions arose with security forces. In Rennes, transportation was disrupted on some roads due to barricades that were set on fire.
The French Ministry of the Interior announced that a total of 272 people were detained in the actions across the country. A definitive tally of the total number of demonstration participants has not yet been announced.
MACRON EMPHASIZES RIGHT TO PROTEST AND CALM
In a statement before the demonstrations, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the right to protest must be respected, while stating that this right does not legitimize attacks on people and property.
The Ministry of the Interior condemned attacks on public buildings, businesses and security forces. The ministry blamed far-left groups for the violence in some cities.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also warned that violence was increasing in protests that have continued for weeks, and announced that more than 900 police officers and gendarmes were injured in previous actions.