19.10.2026 21:03
In the looting incidents that began during the protests in France on October 17, Trade Minister Serge Papin announced that at least 3,000 businesses across the country were damaged. In the incidents where Rolex, Louis Vuitton, and Apple stores were targeted, 19 Carrefour stores were looted; a shopkeeper whose shop, which he had taken over 4 months earlier, had more than 200,000 euros worth of goods stolen burst into tears.
During the protests in France on October 17, stores of luxury brands such as Rolex and Louis Vuitton as well as technology businesses were targeted by looting and vandalism, while stolen items included watches, luxury bags and a large travel suitcase worth about 100,000 euros.
During the protests held in France on October 17, the looting that began turned shopping streets in many cities into battlefields. Masked groups, especially in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille and Bordeaux, smashed luxury store windows, forced security shutters and stole items inside. Footage of looters fleeing stores with luxury bags, phones, computers and various products sparked widespread reaction on social media. Many shopkeepers who wanted protection from the attacks covered their windows with wooden panels and increased security measures, but many businesses could not escape looting. After the events, broken glass, empty product boxes and damaged stores remained on shopping streets.
LUXURY STORES LOOTED
The most striking footage related to the looting was recorded in Marseille. Rolex, Hermes and Louis Vuitton stores in the city's luxury shopping district were targeted in the attacks. High-value products were stolen from stores whose windows were smashed. During the looting at the Rolex store, watches and watch boxes were taken, while images of ransacked display areas and emptied watch boxes caused a major reaction. No clear statement has yet been made regarding the number and total value of the stolen watches.
Many luxury bags, accessories and travel products were also stolen from Louis Vuitton stores. It was reported that looters also took a large travel suitcase worth about 100,000 euros. The damage at stores selling luxury products highlighted the economic dimension of the events.
The Celine store on Paris's famous Avenue Montaigne was also among the looted businesses. Stores of Dior and other famous brands in the capital's luxury shopping districts were attacked, and some windows were completely smashed. In Lille, a group of about 50 people tried to break the armored door of a Louis Vuitton store with iron bars but failed to get inside.
A group that entered BHV Marais, one of Paris's longstanding shopping centers, stole products on the ground floor. Galeries Lafayette stores were also targeted by looting attempts and vandalism in many cities including Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes and Rennes.
STOLEN PHONES REMOTELY LOCKED
The looting also caused major damage at technology stores. Masked groups that entered Apple stores in Lille and Bordeaux stole numerous iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. In Lille, a person was captured on camera leaving the store with a MacBook computer and cheering. After the events, one of the stolen iPhones was remotely locked. A warning appeared on the phone's screen stating that the device should be taken to the Apple store in Lille. The message said that the phone's location was being tracked and that security forces would be notified. The exact number and total value of electronic products stolen from the stores were not disclosed.
People who entered an SFR store in Paris threw phones they took from shelves to others waiting outside. Electronics chains, supermarkets and small businesses also suffered similar attacks. Some stolen products were later seen listed for sale on second-hand sales platforms.
The Decathlon store on Bordeaux's busy Sainte-Catherine Street was looted and then set on fire. As flames spread to the building housing the store, shoes, clothing hangers, products taken from stores and broken glass were left in nearby streets. Sports stores and a football club's official merchandise outlet in Lille were also looted. In some cities, attacks continued on October 18.
BROKE DOWN IN TEARS IN FRONT OF HIS STORE
The looting caused severe damage especially to small business owners in Paris. Jahirul Azam, who runs a phone and computer store on the capital's Boulevard Magenta, said 50 iPhones, 70 Samsung phones, about 50 computers and 8,000 euros from the cash register were stolen from his workplace. Azam, who stated that his total damage was at least 140,000 euros, said he was beaten while trying to stop the attackers and asked police for help several times.
Hassan Robiul, who runs a Lyca Mobile store in the same area, was also among the victims of the looting. Robiul, whose workplace he had taken over only four months earlier had more than 200,000 euros worth of products stolen, broke down in tears in front of his store. After footage of him describing his helplessness spread, a fundraising campaign was launched to support him. The amount of donations collected in the campaign exceeded 80,000 euros.
Small markets, hairdressers, cafes and clothing stores in different parts of Paris were also looted. Although some shopkeepers tried to stop the attackers, they could not prevent their workplaces from being looted.
AT LEAST 3,000 BUSINESSES AFFECTED
France's Trade Minister Serge Papin announced that they estimated at least 3,000 businesses were damaged in looting and vandalism incidents across the country. Representatives of the retail sector stated that total material losses could reach hundreds of millions of euros.
Carrefour, one of the country's largest retail chains, reported that 50 of its stores were affected by the attacks, 19 of which were looted. Intermarche also announced that about 10 of its stores were damaged.
Many businesses suffered heavy losses due to stolen products as well as shattered windows, equipment that became unusable and having to suspend operations. Shopkeepers, who had prepared their stocks especially before the Christmas and New Year shopping period, requested urgent support to reopen their workplaces.
One of the striking images during the looting was that some stolen products were distributed to homeless people living on the streets. Food and basic necessities taken from stores were given to those in need on the streets.
URGENT SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT FOR AFFECTED BUSINESSES
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had announced emergency support measures for looted businesses after today's crisis meeting. Lecornu announced that from tomorrow, 100 percent short-time work support would be applied for businesses forced to suspend operations. The Prime Minister, who stated that a special support fund would be created for affected shopkeepers, said economic support would be provided so businesses could resume operations. Accelerating insurance compensation and facilitating tax and social security payments were also put on the agenda.