A protester wrapped in a French national flag stands in front of Lyon's tourism office set on fire during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Lyon, southeastern France, on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
Torched cars, smashed shopfronts and burnt debris scarred numerous streets in Paris on Sunday, where officials said 557 people were in custody as France reeled from widespread damage caused by violent protests the day before.
Hundreds of shops were looted in Paris and other cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg, during the protests over the cost of living. The city of Limoges lost its 19th-century town hall to a fire, while a tourist office in the centre of Lyon was set ablaze as well.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,800 people were arrested over the protests and looting, with investigations under way “to identify the perpetrators of these acts”. Around 500 police, firefighters and paramedics were hurt in the protests, the minister said.
Here are glimpses of what went down across France over the weekend after the “Yellow Vest” movement called Saturday’s “yellow and youth” demonstrations.
A car burns near a graffiti reading “introduction to civil war” as clashes erupted during a demonstration against the “high cost of living”, in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
This photograph shows a fire burning and destroying the city hall after a group of individuals forced entry into the building during ongoing protest action against the “high cost of living”, in Limoges, central France on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
Protesters shield themselves from police water cannons during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, at Place de la Republique in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
Protestors hold a banner reading “ACAB” (for “All Cops are Bastards “) during a demonstration on Place de la Republique to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
A fire is seen with the Eiffel Tower in the background during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
A protester holds a cross with an inscription reading “love will triumph” and stands next to a gasoline pomp during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, at Place de la Republique in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
A protester kicks stands amid tear gas in front of Lyon’s tourism office during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Lyon, southeastern France, on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
Protesters enter a Foot Locker store as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Nantes, western France, on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
A protester walks in the smoke at Place de l’Opera during ongoing protest action against the “high cost of living”, in Lille, northern France, on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
A photograph taken on Oct 18, 2026 shows the frontage window of a “McDonald” fast food restaurant broken in Lille, northern France, a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”. — AFP
A pedestrian runs past damages and broken frontage windows of a shop a day after riot and looting following a nationwide protest against the “high cost of living”, in Lyon central-eastern France on Oct 18, 2026. — AFP
A man walks next to graffiti, which says “Redistribute wealth”, on a shop window, the day after clashes during a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Marseille, France, on Oct 18, 2026. — Reuters
A pedestrian poses for pictures in front of a damaged “Burberry” shop reading the tag “ACAB - All Cops Are Bastards” in central Paris on Oct 18, 2026. — AFP
A photograph taken on Oct 18, 2026 shows a damaged, broken-down advertisement board reading “1789”, the year of the outbreak of the French Revolution, in central Bordeaux, southwestern France, a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”. — AFP
Damaged glass at the Lacoste store on Champs-Élysées Avenue, the day after clashes during a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Paris, France on Oct 18. — Reuters
Pedestrians walk along a street covered in debris a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”, in Marseille on Oct 18, 2026. — AFP
A pedestrian takes pictures of the damaged “Louis Vuitton” shop, in central Paris on Oct 18, 2026, a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”. — AFP
A man walks past a vandalised Kenzo store, the day after clashes during a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Paris, France, on Oct 18. — Reuters
This photograph shows the partially burnt facade of the Limoges city hall a day after riots and looting following nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”, in Limoges on Oct 18, 2026. — AFP
Header image: A protester wrapped in a French national flag stands in front of Lyon’s tourism office set on fire during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Lyon, southeastern France, on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP
