French President Emmanuel Macron has called for calm and order after demonstrations over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services escalated into rioting, looting and arson across several cities.
In a national address from the Élysée Palace on Sunday, October 18, 2026, Macron urged demonstrators and those involved in the violence not to escalate the situation, acknowledging the anger and frustration gripping parts of the country.
“We all feel anger and shame,” the president said, while insisting that a distinction must be made between the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters and the actions of people who destroyed property, looted businesses and attacked public buildings.
According to the figures cited in the report, approximately 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets during the largely peaceful protests. The demonstrations were driven by concerns over rising living costs, fuel prices and the deteriorating quality of public services, including education.
However, the protests were accompanied by outbreaks of violence in Paris, Marseille, Lille, Limoges and other towns and cities. Groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks or balaclavas, reportedly set fire to vehicles and buildings, while shops and public facilities were targeted in widespread looting.
France’s Interior Ministry said police had arrested approximately 2,400 people in connection with the unrest. Macron condemned what he described as unrestrained violence, stressing that there could be no justification for the destruction and that those responsible would face justice.
Disorder continued on a smaller scale on Sunday in parts of Paris and Lyon. According to the AFP news agency, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades against crowds in the capital, while some protesters threw bottles and rocks at police officers.
The unrest also caused significant damage to public infrastructure. In Limoges, central France, a fire started during Saturday’s disturbances gutted the city’s ornate 19th-century town hall. Local officials said the building was largely lost after sections of its roof and clock tower collapsed as the flames spread.
Residents expressed sadness over the destruction of the historic structure, which had served as an important civic landmark. One resident, identified as Annèyse, criticised the destruction of heritage buildings in response to political grievances, saying the damage affected the wider community rather than the government alone.
Another resident, identified as Gerrard, described the incident as unbelievable and expressed concern about the time and resources that would be required to restore the building.
In Paris, shopkeepers were seen clearing broken glass from their premises early on Sunday as municipal workers removed debris from major streets. Businesses across several cities were reportedly affected by looting, leaving traders facing losses and communities dealing with the aftermath of the violence.
Macron said local prefects and mayors would work on measures to strengthen protection for shops, public buildings and other important facilities. He also promised full transparency regarding the police response to the demonstrations, amid scrutiny of the use of tear gas, water cannon and batons against crowds.
France’s Interior Ministry reported that around 1,000 police officers were injured during Saturday’s unrest, with seven suffering serious injuries.
The developments have placed the French government under pressure to address public frustration over living costs and public services while restoring security and protecting property. The authorities now face the challenge of responding to protesters’ demands without allowing further violence to spread.
As investigations and arrests continue, Macron has maintained that peaceful demands must be distinguished from criminal acts, warning that those responsible for looting, arson and attacks would be held accountable.
Source: Thepressradio.com
