1,800 arrested as France faces aftermath of nationwide protests in pictures

Cities begin assessing damage

France woke on Sunday to streets littered with rubbish and burnt-out cars after hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated. Municipal workers began clean-up operations in dozens of cities.

The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon requested a meeting with the prime minister, citing the scale of the damage and the seriousness of the situation. More than 1,800 people were arrested, and officials reported over 500 injuries among police officers and firefighters.

Fires and clashes across France

Violence began early Saturday in Paris and Marseille, where black-clad protesters stormed city hall buildings before official marches started. In Paris, police used water cannons at Place de la République as people in hoods and masks threw fireworks, paving stones and other objects.

In Lyon, demonstrators set fire to the tourism office and broke its windows; they also tried to stop firefighters from responding. Limoges’ historic town hall, opened in 1883, was largely destroyed by a fire that brought down its roof.

Limoges town hall heavily damaged

Local prefect Maurice Barate said the roof fell onto lower floors, leaving only the west wing spared, while much of the exterior was destroyed. Mayor Guillaume Guerin said several hundred people overwhelmed local police, smashed windows and used a battering ram on the main entrance.

Guerin told reporters he found the planning and organisation behind the attack unbearable. The fire left the town hall’s future uncertain.

Government vows response

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and promised prosecution and punishment for those who attacked businesses and buildings. His office said he would meet senior officials on Sunday afternoon and address the nation at 8 pm local time.

Mr Nuñez and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blamed some of the violence on radical far-left groups, saying others joined later to loot. Lecornu called the violence orchestrated and wrote on X that political goals would not be imposed through force.

Protesters cite living costs

Lola, a 19-year-old protester in Paris, said people were demonstrating over the cost of living and fuel prices. She also pointed to high school pupils being attacked while asking for more teachers and better learning conditions. Smaller protests over rising living costs took place in Belgium, Portugal and Italy during the weekend, following the demonstrations in France.