France Protests Escalate As Limoges Town Hall Burns, Over 1,200 Arrested | Sahara Reporters

Local prefect Maurice Barate said the fire had caused extensive destruction, with the roof collapsing onto the lower floors and much of the building’s exterior destroyed.

Violent protests over the rising cost of living, deteriorating school facilities and demands for increased education spending have swept across France, leaving buildings ablaze, businesses looted and more than 1,200 people arrested, according to French authorities.

The unrest intensified on Saturday, with clashes between demonstrators and riot police reported in Paris and several other cities. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured during the demonstrations, which drew an estimated 550,000 people nationwide, the BBC reported.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, a city in west-central France, where a fire engulfed the historic town hall, causing its bell tower to collapse and severely damaging the building.

According to AFP, as cited by RT, masked protesters set fire to the 143-year-old building. Videos circulating on social media showed flames consuming parts of the structure before the bell tower gave way.

Local prefect Maurice Barate said the fire had caused extensive destruction, with the roof collapsing onto the lower floors and much of the building’s exterior destroyed.

“The roof has collapsed onto the lower floors, except in the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared,” Barate said, according to AFP.

The BBC also reported that firefighters battled the blaze at the town hall, with the local prefecture confirming that part of the building had collapsed. No injuries were reported among those who had been inside the building, according to the account published by RT.

In Paris, clashes between demonstrators and riot police continued into the evening, with officers deploying tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds.

Although the main march appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon, some groups later set fires in the streets, torched vehicles and attacked businesses, the BBC reported. Fires were recorded at several locations, including the Place de la République, while shops were ransacked and at least one restaurant was gutted by fire.

The BBC also reported seeing police charge at demonstrators in central Paris and strike several people with batons.

In Marseille, protesters reportedly forced their way into the city hall, breaking open a door and spray-painting the walls, according to French newspaper La Provence, as cited by RT.

In Lyon, the city’s tourist office was set ablaze. Mayor Grégory Doucet described the incident as a tragedy, telling French broadcaster BFMTV that the building was an iconic and historic landmark.

Local police said hostile individuals had prevented firefighters from safely tackling the blaze, according to the BBC.

Damage to buildings and businesses was also reported in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence. In Lille, an Apple store was broken into and emptied, while clothes and food shops were raided in Paris, the BBC reported.

In Saint-Étienne, Mayor Régis Juanico said a young man had suffered a severe hand injury after a small explosive detonated. The mayor described the incident as a tragedy in a statement on social media, according to the BBC.

The demonstrations follow weeks of student-led protests against staff shortages and deteriorating facilities in French secondary schools, known as lycées.

According to the BBC and RT, the initial demonstrations focused on education funding, teacher shortages and the condition of school buildings. The movement subsequently attracted trade unions and other protest groups, with participants increasingly voicing anger over the cost of living, inequality and proposed government spending cuts.

Opposition to the government’s proposed 2027 budget has also contributed to the unrest, according to RT.

The protests have drawn participation from members of the Yellow Vest movement, known in France as the _gilets jaunes_, which mobilised against rising living costs and fuel prices in 2018 and continued demonstrating for more than a year.

France’s Interior Ministry said Saturday’s demonstrations involved targeted acts of violence by hooded individuals in several locations, including Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers, the BBC reported.

In a further indication of the disorder, the BBC said it had authenticated footage showing masked men driving a tourist train through a narrow street in central Grenoble towards at least three riot police officers.

French authorities have condemned the destruction and warned that those responsible would face prosecution.

Lecornu said 1,200 people had been arrested nationwide and reported that 150 police officers were injured during the unrest.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned attacks on public buildings and businesses, warning that those responsible for vandalism and looting would be prosecuted and punished.

Authorities have blamed some of the violence on groups they describe as belonging to the far left, while critics have raised concerns about police tactics and injuries sustained by demonstrators.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that security forces could deploy intermediate weapons, including stun grenades, if violence escalated during the demonstrations, according to RT.

The use of force by police has also drawn scrutiny following reports of serious injuries among young protesters.

The unrest comes as France faces a period of political uncertainty ahead of next year’s presidential election.

According to the BBC, left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon participated in demonstrations and subsequently accused police of unleashing violence against protesters, while also condemning looting and arson.

Lecornu criticised Mélenchon’s remarks as dangerous and cynical, accusing some groups of using the demonstrations as a rehearsal for the presidential election campaign.

“No-one will impose their political agenda through violence,” the prime minister said, according to the BBC.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, also criticised the unrest, arguing that legitimate grievances raised by protesters had been hijacked by the far left.

Meanwhile, the government has made some concessions in response to concerns about education. Education Minister Édouard Geffray promised to provide 3,000 additional supply teachers during a television interview on October 8, the BBC reported.

However, the demonstrations have continued despite the announcement.

The unrest has revived comparisons with the Yellow Vest protests, which placed sustained pressure on Macron’s government over economic inequality and the cost of living.

France is also grappling with high public debt and rising borrowing costs, adding to the economic and political pressures confronting the government.

With demonstrations continuing and widespread damage reported across several cities, the authorities face mounting pressure to restore order while addressing protesters’ demands over living costs, education and public spending.