In brief
A week‑long surge of cost‑of‑living protests turned violent across France, with masked rioters fueling fires that devastated well‑known sites in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Limoges. The mayor of Paris described the damage as a shock, while security forces struggled to maintain order. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu authorised local curfews and called the situation chaotic, and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation, which was rejected. With the nation on edge, another wave of demonstrations is expected to erupt next Saturday.
The cost‑of‑living protests that began on Saturday ended Monday with streets in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Limoges ablaze.
While most marchers radiated in yellow vests, a minority, many in black masks, set fire to cars, kiosks and shops. The mayor of Paris described the damage as a shock and said police could not control the crowds.
On Place de la République the municipal building and the historic statue of the Republic were set alight, while in Marseille the city hall’s marble bust of Marianne was knocked to the floor.
In Limoges, the town hall’s 143‑year‑old clock tower collapsed after a blaze, and the city’s mayor condemned the "almost total lack of control" by security forces.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu authorised local curfews and criticised the chaotic situation, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation, which was rejected.
The violence follows weeks of anti‑fuel‑price and anti‑public‑service demonstrations, and the government now faces mounting pressure as another round of protests looms.
