Over 1,800 Arrested as Riots and Arson Erupt in France Over Living Costs

French authorities reported more than 1,800 arrests across the country following a day of riots, looting, and arson tied to cost-of-living protests, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Sunday. The unrest, which began on Saturday, involved an estimated 550,000 participants according to the Interior Ministry, while the CGT trade union placed the turnout at 800,000. The demonstrations focused on rising living costs and public services, but quickly degenerated into mass clashes with police in major cities.

The most significant physical damage occurred in Limoges, where rioters set fire to the historic town hall. Built in 1873 and opened in 1883, the landmark building had survived both World Wars, but the region's prefect described the structure as 'largely lost' and a 'catastrophe for heritage' after flames spread to the roof and caused parts of the building to collapse. In Paris, police reported 855 arrests, a record figure for a single day of unrest, with many detainees charged for looting, vandalism, and handling stolen goods.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that 150 police officers were injured during the demonstrations and attributed the destruction to 'ultraleft groups' and opportunistic offenders. President Emmanuel Macron vowed that those responsible for attacking government buildings and businesses would be prosecuted and punished, writing on X that there is 'no room for violence in our Republic.' The unrest has heightened political tensions ahead of France's 2027 presidential election, as the government faces budgetary constraints that limit its ability to address economic grievances.

Beyond Paris and Limoges, authorities reported attacks on public buildings and shops in Marseille, Lyon, and Grenoble. A 17-year-old in Saint-Étienne lost a hand to a police grenade, an incident that has triggered an investigation into the use of crowd-control weapons. US Vice President JD Vance also weighed in on the events, blaming Western liberal immigration policies for the violence in a post on X, while far-right candidate Marine Le Pen accused far-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon of legitimizing the riots.