Further clashes and looting in Paris. Macron: ‘Anger and shame – nothing justifies violence’

In the aftermath of the national day of protest against the cost of living in France, the area around Place de la République in Paris was littered with uprooted paving stones, smashed shop windows and broken glass. Looting and damage were also reported in other tourist and shopping districts. On Saturday, in several French cities, groups of masked people set fires and attacked public buildings, including town halls, according to reports from the authorities. In the city of Limoges, in the centre of the country, flames engulfed the 19th-century town hall, causing the roof to collapse and almost completely destroying the building. “The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not,” wrote French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on X, citing the looting of hundreds of shops in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux.

Political leaders across the spectrum have sought to capitalise on the fallout from Saturday’s riots ahead of next spring’s presidential election. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen attacked her far-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who took part in yesterday’s march in Paris: “Looting, vandalism, destruction and attacks on the police: the rioters have once again marred the 17 October demonstrations,” Le Pen wrote on X. Her deputy, Jordan Bardella, stated on X that “if the silent majority of the French people so decide, I will restore order in the long term”.

La polizia antisommossa interviene durante i disordini civili, all’indomani di una giornata nazionale di manifestazioni contro il costo della vita e l’aumento dei prezzi del carburante, a Parigi, in Francia, il 18 ottobre 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

Mélenchon, for his part, accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of “playing with fire”, arguing that “by banking on deterioration, you have only succeeded in uniting all young people and the trade unions”. “My message is clear: those who share our struggle have nothing to do with looting or destruction,” added Mélenchon. The Mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, wrote in an open letter: “The extent of the damage is considerable and unprecedented. Paris is a city of freedom, debate and demonstrations. It must remain so. But it must also be a city where everyone can work and run a business in safety.” The police reported that on Saturday, groups of hundreds of people organised unauthorised marches in central Paris. “In the late afternoon, a new phase began with the arrival of a large number of people whose sole aim was to steal and loot, taking advantage of the unrest,” the police said.