French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for “calm and order” after nationwide demonstrations over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services degenerated into rioting, looting and arson across several cities.
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In a national address from the Élysée Palace, Macron urged protesters not to escalate the unrest, saying the government recognised the anger behind the demonstrations but would distinguish between legitimate grievances and acts of destruction.
“We all feel anger and shame,” Macron said, warning that while protesters had a right to express their concerns, “nothing justifies” the widespread violence witnessed during the demonstrations.
About 550,000 people were reported to have participated in largely peaceful protests on Saturday. The demonstrations centred on rising fuel prices, the cost of living and concerns over declining public services, particularly in the education sector.
However, the protests later descended into violence in Paris, Marseille, Lille and other cities as groups of masked rioters set fire to cars and buildings, smashed shops and looted businesses.
Macron said authorities must draw a clear distinction between the “legitimate demands” of peaceful protesters and “those who destroyed, smashed and looted.”
According to France’s Interior Ministry, about 2,400 people have been arrested in connection with the disorder.
The unrest continued on a smaller scale on Sunday, with fresh clashes and looting reported in parts of Paris and Lyon.
Police deployed tear gas and stun grenades against groups of protesters in Paris, while bottles and rocks were thrown at officers.
The violence also caused extensive damage to public infrastructure.
In Limoges, the city’s ornate 19th-century town hall was gutted by fire after being set ablaze during Saturday’s disturbances. Its roof and clock tower collapsed as flames tore through the historic building.
Residents expressed shock over the destruction, with some questioning why anger against the government should result in attacks on public heritage.
In Paris, shopkeepers were seen clearing shattered glass and debris on Sunday morning after widespread looting and vandalism.
Macron said local prefects and mayors would prepare additional measures to protect commercial premises and public buildings from further attacks.
He also promised “full transparency” regarding the conduct of police officers during the demonstrations after riot police used tear gas, water cannon and batons against some crowds.
France’s Interior Ministry said about 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, seven of them seriously.
The protests began last month as student demonstrations but expanded dramatically after trade union members and other anti-government groups joined the movement.
The disorder has intensified political tensions in France ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for April.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said peaceful demonstration remained a fundamental right but accused several thousand far-left activists of deliberately targeting public buildings and confronting security forces.
He said the disturbances were later joined by individuals who looted and vandalised businesses across several cities.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise party, criticised Nuñez and senior police officials over their handling of the demonstrations, accusing them of “complete incompetence” and describing them as “specialists in organised chaos.”
Marine Le Pen, leader of the hard-right National Rally, meanwhile condemned what she described as the exploitation of public anger by political forces that encourage violence.
Following one of the most severe episodes of public disorder in France in recent years, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to convene a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday to consider the government’s response.
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