Why is France burning? 800,000 in the streets, 150-year-old building torched, stores looted

Paris: France witnessed widespread protests on October 17 over rising living costs, poor school conditions and public services. Demonstrations turned violent in several cities. Masked groups set fires, looted shops and attacked public buildings, including the historic town hall in Limoges. The police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds, and clashes left officers injured.

The demonstrations brought together students, trade union members and people protesting the cost of living. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), one of the country’s largest trade unions, backed the mobilisation and called for lower prices, higher wages and better pensions.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez estimated the nationwide turnout at 550,000 people across 110 marches, including around 110,000 in Paris. Organisers estimated the turnout at 800,000. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said more than 1,200 people had been arrested by late October 17, and over 150 police officers had been injured. The Interior Ministry had earlier announced around 400 arrests. 

From broken classrooms to nationwide protests

The movement began in September, when high school students in Créteil, a suburb southeast of Paris, protested against staff shortages and deteriorating school facilities. They boycotted classes and blocked roads. The protests spread to other towns. Vandalism and attacks on staff forced some schools to close.

Students described classrooms with leaking roofs, damaged furniture and inadequate facilities. French media showed poor conditions in some schools, including water entering classrooms and damaged ceilings. Students also complained about extreme temperatures in classrooms without air conditioning during summer heatwaves and inadequate heating during winter.

The complaints extended to shortages of teachers and other staff, exhausting school days and the difficulties students face when applying to universities through France’s admissions system. University students also joined the protests.

The movement gained support from trade unions and people struggling with the rising cost of living. The CGT backed demands for higher wages and pensions. Economic demands soon joined the original calls for better school conditions. The protests also got support from activists associated with the Yellow Vest movement, which began in 2018 over fuel prices and economic inequality.

October 17 clashes hit major cities

Violence broke out in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, Nantes, Toulouse, Strasbourg and other cities. Shops selling clothing, cosmetics, electronics and luxury goods were among the businesses targeted by looters. Pharmacies and supermarkets were also affected.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said that several streets had suffered extensive damage. Masked groups set fire to parked cars and damaged shops. The police deployed tear gas against people throwing projectiles and fireworks at officers near Place de la République.

The UNSA police union posted a video on X showing people attacking police vans with sticks and bricks. The union said that officers across the country had faced stone-throwing, injuries and ambushes.

“Today again, in every corner of France, our colleagues are being used as ‘punching bags’. They are being pelted with stones, they are getting injured and they are being caught in ambushes,” the union said.

It called for people to take responsibility for the violence and said the situation had crossed a line.

Historic Limoges town hall catches fire

One of the most serious incidents took place in Limoges, where masked individuals broke into the town hall and set fire to the building. The historic structure was inaugurated in 1883 and suffered extensive damage. Local authorities said the blaze damaged the roof. Officials warned that much of the building was lost.

In Marseille, demonstrators entered the town hall lobby and painted an anarchist “A” symbol on a wall. In Bordeaux, a police compound was vandalised, and the authorities confirmed attacks on public buildings. In Lyon, a tourist office was set on fire.

The police and firefighters responded to incidents across several cities. Officers used tear gas and water cannon during confrontations with groups throwing stones and other objects. Authorities also recorded attacks on police stations and attempted intrusions into municipal buildings. 

Macron vows crackdown on protest violence

President Emmanuel Macron said people responsible for vandalism, attacks on public offices and looting would face prosecution.

“No room for violence in our Republic. Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” he wrote on X.

He also expressed support for law enforcement officers and said France would stand together against people seeking to undermine public institutions.

Prime Minister Lecornu condemned the violence and blamed radical left-wing groups for organising attacks in several cities. The government said those responsible for arson, looting and assaults would face legal action.

The unrest has also become an issue for political leaders preparing for France’s 2027 presidential election. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader who is seeking the presidency, said she would protect French citizens from “the violence of the radical left” if she came to power.