France Protests Escalate as Shops Are Looted and Buildings Set Ablaze; Leaders Urge Calm

Macron Appeals for Calm as Violent Protests Sweep France; 2,400 Arrested and Two Dead

French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for “calm and order” after anti-government demonstrations across France escalated into widespread rioting, looting and arson, leaving two people dead. Police arrested around 2,400 people in cities across the country following one of the most violent days of unrest in recent times.

Addressing the nation from the Elysee Palace, Macron condemned the destruction of public and private property, declaring that “nothing justifies” the violence. He vowed that those responsible for vandalism, looting and attempts to undermine the Republic would face legal consequences.

“Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” the president said in his televised address.

Macron, echoing other government officials, blamed much of the violence on radical far-left groups and criminal elements. He described the incidents as acts of “unrestrained violence” involving what he called “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals”.

Fires and Looting Reported Across Major Cities

Videos circulating on social media showed shattered windows, burnt bicycles and debris scattered across streets in several parts of France after the protests turned violent.

In Limoges, a city in central France, demonstrators set fire to the 19th-century City Hall. The blaze caused the building’s roof to collapse and left the historic structure close to being destroyed.

In Paris, hundreds of protesters gathered at Place de la Republique amid a substantial police deployment. Officers fired tear gas as tensions flared, while small groups reportedly attempted to set bicycles and rubbish bins on fire.

Lyon also witnessed significant damage, with the city’s tourist office set ablaze and its facade left scorched. Shops in the surrounding area were vandalised and looted.

In Marseille, some demonstrators briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall, while another group wearing hoods and masks damaged a police station.

The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon have requested a meeting with the prime minister in the coming days, citing the scale of the destruction and the seriousness of the situation.

Macron Signals Tougher Action Against Rioters

Macron said local authorities could prohibit certain rallies in the coming days if necessary. However, he stopped short of announcing more sweeping measures, such as a nationwide state of emergency or curfew.

The president acknowledged the anger surrounding the unrest but stressed the need to distinguish between demonstrators raising legitimate concerns and those engaging in violence.

“Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” Macron said, questioning how French citizens could inflict such damage on their own country.

He pledged an uncompromising response against those responsible for arson, vandalism and looting, particularly individuals he accused of belonging to ultra-left groups and criminal networks.

Opposition Leaders Criticise Government

The unrest has added to political tensions ahead of a presidential election in which Macron is constitutionally unable to seek another consecutive term. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate from the National Rally party, has criticised the government’s handling of the situation.

Le Pen said the turmoil demonstrated that Macron’s administration was “running on fumes, exhausted and disoriented”.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party and another presidential contender, warned that the country could be heading towards developments that might eventually become uncontrollable.

The contrasting reactions from opposition leaders have further highlighted the political divisions surrounding the protests and the government’s response.

Investigations Launched Into Protest-Related Injuries

Authorities are also investigating serious injuries sustained by demonstrators during the unrest.

The prosecutor’s office in Mulhouse, eastern France, has opened an investigation after a 17-year-old girl was injured during the protests and lost an eye. A separate investigation was launched on Saturday after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne.

The incidents have intensified scrutiny of police tactics, particularly the use of grenades and other crowd-control weapons during demonstrations.

As investigations continue, the French government faces mounting pressure to restore public order while addressing concerns over police conduct and the distinction between peaceful protest and criminal violence.