Paris streets were left strewn with rubbish as protests over school conditions and living costs escalated, with clashes, fires and looting reported across France. (Images: X)
Paris: Streets littered with rubbish, damaged buildings and reports of looting marked a turbulent day across France as demonstrations over deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living escalated into violence in several cities. According to the reported figures, around 550,000 people took to the streets, at least 1,200 people were arrested and 150 police officers were injured. The unrest was particularly visible in Paris, where clashes between demonstrators and riot police continued into the evening. Authorities used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds, while fires, vandalism and attacks on businesses were reported in different parts of the country.
The demonstrations initially gathered momentum around concerns over France’s secondary schools, known as lycées. Students raised issues including staff shortages and deteriorating school facilities, bringing attention to the condition of educational institutions. As the protests continued, trade union members and other groups joined the movement. Concerns over the rising cost of living also became part of the wider discontent, drawing in people associated with the gilets jaunes, or yellow vest movement.
The movement gained national prominence in 2018 through demonstrations against rising living costs and continued to mobilise protesters for more than a year. Its participation in the latest unrest reflects how different grievances have converged on the streets.
The French capital witnessed confrontations between protesters and police, with officers deploying tear gas and water cannon to control the crowds. Buildings were reportedly set on fire, and several shops were targeted during the unrest. Footage from the Châtelet area showed rubbish scattered across the streets following the demonstrations.
Clothing and food stores in Paris were also reportedly raided, adding to concerns about damage to businesses and public spaces. However, the main march in Paris appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon, even as violent incidents were reported elsewhere and tensions increased later in the day.
The unrest was not limited to the capital. In Limoges, a major fire at the town hall reportedly caused part of the building’s roof to collapse. Damage to buildings was also reported in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence. In Lille, an Apple Store was reportedly broken into and emptied, while other businesses faced looting and vandalism. The spread of incidents across multiple cities highlighted the challenge facing authorities as demonstrations over public services and living costs developed into a broader law-and-order situation.
France’s Interior Ministry said targeted acts of violence had been carried out by hooded individuals in parts of Paris and other cities, including Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers had been injured during the unrest. The government described the situation as an escalation in violence as reports of fires, attacks on businesses and damage to public property continued to emerge. The scale of the arrests and injuries has added to pressure on authorities to restore order while responding to the concerns that brought demonstrators onto the streets.
Despite the violent incidents, some young demonstrators stressed that their intentions were peaceful. A group of protesters described themselves as pacifists who wanted to bring about change, but felt that their concerns were not producing results. Their comments underline the contrast between the demands driving the demonstrations and the violence reported during parts of the unrest. With students, trade union members and other protest groups participating, the demonstrations have expanded beyond their initial focus on school conditions.
The rising cost of living and wider public dissatisfaction have also become part of the movement, while the reported destruction and looting have intensified the debate over how France should respond.
