Police and protesters clashed across France on Saturday as tens of thousands demonstrated against rising living costs and the deteriorating state of schools.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that 272 people were arrested following violent incidents involving masked individuals in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, and Angers. In Lyon, a central square’s tourist office was set ablaze, prompting police to deploy water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters trying to hinder firefighters. Lyon’s mayor, Grégory Doucet, condemned the violence, stating, “Vandalising public buildings is an attack on the people of Lyon.”
In Lille, demonstrators broke into and vandalised the mayor’s office, while in Marseille, about two dozen people shouting “This is the Revolution” barged into the town hall, smashing furniture before police removed them. Mayor Benoît Payan expressed frustration over inadequate police presence, noting that there was only one company of riot police for a city as large as Marseille.
In Paris, tensions escalated around the Place de la République, where clashes erupted between a crowd and security forces just before the main demonstration began. Authorities used tear gas and a water cannon as some protesters launched fireworks. Activist Marjorie Keters, representing the Yellow Vests, declared, “This time we’re going to win and bring down this system” as the peaceful march moved toward Place de Clichy.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu addressed the violence, stating on social media, “We will not let ourselves be intimidated. No one will impose their political agenda through violence.”
The protests were fuelled by grievances from high school pupils, university students, Yellow Vests, and climate activists. Tensions have risen recently over the crumbling infrastructure in schools and the shortage of teachers. Protests have resulted in around 7,000 youths being taken into custody, with nearly 1,000 police injured in skirmishes.
Lola, a 19-year-old protester in Paris, articulated the frustrations, saying, “We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh…because high school pupils are being violently attacked just for trying to protest.”
Political rivals of President Emmanuel Macron have seized on the protests. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen condemned the violence as a tarnish on the demonstrations, while leftist opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused media of focusing unduly on violent acts instead of the peaceful gatherings.
Some protesters likened the climate to the French Revolution, with placards declaring: “Revolution or death.” Ryad Rani, head of the USL student union, claimed, “The government is trembling…when the French people are angry, they never let up.”
The rising cost of living is a pressing concern for many French citizens, with a survey indicating that it worries around 45% of the population. Franck, a civil servant in his forties, expressed despair, saying, “At the end of the month, I have nothing left. Prices are going up but wages are not. We can’t take it anymore.”
France’s purchasing power has declined since 2024, and public debt is projected to exceed 120% of GDP next year, significantly above the EU limit of 60%.
