18.10.2026 08:00
Protests spreading across France turned into violence. More than 1,200 people were detained during the demonstrations, while 150 police officers were injured. In Limoges, the historic city hall was set on fire, and in Bordeaux, the prefectural residence was stormed. In many cities, including Paris, vehicles were burned and stores looted, while a 17-year-old youth lost his hand. President Macron announced that those involved in the violence will be punished.
Protests organized in France against the high cost of living and problems in public services turned into violence across the country. Clashes broke out between protesters and police in many cities, especially the capital Paris, while hundreds of businesses were looted, vehicles set on fire, and public buildings targeted. According to the latest statements, the number of detentions rose to 1,200, while 150 police officers were injured. A large part of the 143-year-old city hall in Limoges became unusable in the fire. President Emmanuel Macron announced that those involved in the incidents would be punished.
NUMBER OF DETENTIONS IN FRANCE RISES TO 1,200
The toll worsened after mass protests held in France on Saturday, October 17. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that 1,200 people were detained and 150 police officers were injured in incidents across the country.
While the Ministry of the Interior announced that approximately 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across the country, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), which supported the protests, reported that the number of participants reached 800,000.
Violent incidents also occurred in cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, Lille, Nantes, Toulouse, and Strasbourg, in addition to the capital Paris. Police intervened against protesters with tear gas and water cannon, while some groups responded to security forces with stones and fireworks.
143-YEAR-OLD CITY HALL ENGULFED IN FLAMES
One of the places where the protests caused the most severe damage was the city of Limoges. The historic city hall, which opened in 1883, was set on fire after an attack by masked individuals.
The attackers first set fire to a police vehicle in front of the city hall, then broke the windows and entered the building. The fire, which grew quickly, engulfed a large part of the historic structure.
Regional official Maurice Barate announced that due to the fire, the building's roof collapsed onto the lower floors, and that most of the structure except the west wing suffered severe damage. According to initial assessments, about two-thirds of the historic building were affected by the fire.
While fire crews made intensive efforts to prevent the flames from spreading to the entire building, citizens gathered around watched the fire with concern.
PREFECTURE RESIDENCE RAIDED, SPECIAL POLICE UNIT DEPLOYED
In the city of Bordeaux, after the demonstrations, some groups entered the official residence belonging to the Gironde Prefecture. The attackers forced the door of the building and entered, started a fire in the garden, and caused extensive damage inside.
As the incidents escalated, France's special police intervention unit RAID was dispatched to the area.
It was announced that 23 people, 15 of them security personnel and 8 protesters, were injured in Bordeaux, and 55 people were detained.
Many stores on Sainte-Catherine Street in the city were also looted. A fire that broke out in a sports store spread to the building's facade, causing serious material damage to nearby businesses.
VEHICLES SET ON FIRE, STORES LOOTED IN PARIS
In the capital Paris, marches that were largely peaceful in the early hours of the day gave way to violent incidents in the evening.
Masked groups disabled the security cameras of some stores, then broke their display windows and entered. Many businesses were looted, while parked vehicles were set on fire.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire stated that some streets in the city suffered great destruction.
Similar incidents also occurred in Marseille, Lille, Nantes, and Strasbourg. In Lyon, the tourism office was set on fire, while city halls and public institutions in different cities were targeted in attacks.
17-YEAR-OLD TEEN LOSES HIS HAND
One of the most serious injuries during the protests occurred in the city of Saint-Etienne. A 17-year-old boy lost his right hand as a result of the explosion of intervention ammunition used by police. According to initial information, the explosion occurred after the teenager picked up ammunition found on the ground.
The incident brought debates over security forces' methods of intervening in demonstrations back onto the agenda. It was reported that various complaints regarding police interventions were also taken under investigation.
HARSH STATEMENT FROM MACRON: THEY WILL BE PUNISHED
A statement came from President Emmanuel Macron after the incidents across the country.
Macron stated that those who attack public buildings and businesses and are involved in looting and destruction will be brought before the judiciary and punished.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also sharply criticized the violence during the protests. Lecornu emphasized that no group can impose its political agenda on society through violence.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez argued that there were groups acting in an organized manner in attacks on public buildings and police stations. Nuñez announced that, despite the incidents, declaring a state of emergency was not on the agenda at that stage.
WHY DID THE PROTESTS START?
The protests in France expanded after actions initiated by students against problems in the education system. Various segments complaining about the high cost of living and housing costs also joined the reactions to staff shortages in schools, inadequate educational opportunities, and disruptions in public services.
The demonstrations, supported by unions, over time turned into large-participation marches across the country. Some groups from the Yellow Vests movement, which began in 2018 against fuel prices and living costs, also supported the protests.
POLITICAL TENSION IS ESCALATING IN FRANCE
The incidents ahead of the presidential elections planned to be held in France in 2027 also inflamed political debates in the country.
Far-right politician Marine Le Pen accused radical left-wing groups of fueling violence in the demonstrations, while left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon criticized police interventions. Melenchon also condemned the looting and arson incidents.
While security measures were increased across the country, authorities continued their work to identify those involved in attacks and looting.
Following the latest announced toll of 1,200 detentions and 150 injured police officers, the extent of the material damage caused by the incidents is expected to be determined. .