Violence erupted across France on Saturday as an estimated 550,000 people took to the streets in demonstrations against school conditions and the cost of living. Police arrested at least 1,200 people during what the French government called an "escalation in violence."
Clashes intensified in Paris and other major cities as the day progressed. Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons against crowds. Buildings were set ablaze in Paris, Limoges, and Lyon. In Limoges, a fire at the town hall caused the roof to partly collapse. Looting and vandalism spread across multiple cities, targeting city halls, shops, restaurants, and businesses. An Apple store in Lille was broken into and emptied. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported 150 police officers injured in the unrest.
In Saint-Étienne, a young man lost his hand after being struck by what a grenade, according to Mayor Régis Juanico. The interior ministry attributed "targeted acts of violence" to "hooded individuals" in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse, and Angers, among other cities. Authenticated BBC footage showed masked men driving a tourist train toward riot police in Grenoble.
The initial protests centered on student grievances over staff shortages and deteriorating facilities in lycées, or secondary schools serving ages 15 to 18. Saturday's demonstrations drew additional participants from trade unions and the yellow vest movement, which conducted sustained protests against cost-of-living increases from 2018 onward.
The unrest carries political weight. France heads toward a presidential election in April after Emmanuel Macron leaves office. Polls suggest a potential runoff between Marine Le Pen of the National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the hard-left La France Insoumise party. Mélenchon participated in demonstrations and accused police of "unleashing" on protesters while condemning looting and arson. Prime Minister Lecornu called Mélenchon's comments "dangerous and cynical," claiming some groups were using protests as a "warm-up" for the election. Le Pen accused the far left of holding "legitimate demands" hostage and fueling violence.
Macron said those responsible for breaking into buildings, looting town halls, and attacking businesses would be "prosecuted and punished."
The government offered concessions earlier in October, with Education Minister Édouard Geffray promising 3,000 additional supply teachers. Protests have continued and intensified despite the offer.