France Violence 2026 : There were reports of violence during protests across France on Saturday. Violent clashes, arson and looting took place during the protests in the country. People took to the streets to protest against rising inflation and poor condition of schools. According to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, about 400 people have been arrested across the country.
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Organizers of the protests, including the CGT labor union and student organizations, claim that around 800,000 protesters took to the streets. But Interior Minister Nunez said that about 550,000 people participated in 110 marches across the country. He described the rioters as an “extremely violent, radical leftist group” and said the group wanted to confront police and targeted public buildings such as City Hall and local government offices.
Nunez said that these groups have also included criminals who want to rob stores. He said most of those arrested were adults. Some incidents were also reported in central Paris on Saturday evening. Images of the violence showed thick black smoke billowing from cars, bicycles and other vehicles, and trash bins burning.
A newspaper kiosk was also burnt, while several shops were looted. Many people have been injured in the clashes. In Paris, police fired tear gas and water cannon to push back people wearing hoods and masks who were throwing firecrackers, stones and other objects at police officers in the Place de la Republique, northeast of the Paris city centre.
Several metro stations were closed Saturday at the request of police, including those around the Champs-Élysées, and those near the Presidential Palace, Parliament and government offices. In Lyon, France's third-largest city, where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office. In the southern port city of Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, while protesters briefly entered the lobby of city hall.
“There is no room for violence in our republic,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a message on 'X'. “Those who vandalized property, attacked government offices and businesses, and even looted the town hall will be prosecuted and punished,” he said. Macron further said, “We will stand united against those who spread chaos… and who prevent people from peacefully putting forward their demands.”
Meanwhile, a larger group of peaceful protesters joined the march, which headed towards northwestern Paris. The crowd sang the French national anthem and waved flags; Some people also played trumpet and violin.