France Counts Cost of Violent Protests as 1,800 Arrested

French authorities are assessing the financial and social impact of widespread unrest after demonstrations against rising living costs and deteriorating public services escalated into violence across the country on Saturday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday that about 1,800 people had been arrested, with investigations under way to identify those responsible for looting, arson and attacks on public property.

Paris recorded 855 arrests, while more than 500 police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel were reported injured, according to provisional figures released by authorities.

The demonstrations attracted hundreds of thousands of participants. France’s Interior Ministry estimated nationwide turnout at 550,000, while the CGT trade union put the figure at approximately 800,000.

Although many marches remained peaceful, masked groups clashed with police, looted businesses and set fires in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, where a fire severely damaged the city’s historic 19th-century town hall. Local officials said the building was deliberately set ablaze, and the fire was brought under control early Sunday.

In Paris, streets were left littered with broken glass, damaged shopfronts and the remains of barricades. Businesses were also targeted in other cities, prompting local authorities to begin assessing losses and consider assistance for affected traders.

Carrefour chief executive Alexandre Bompard said 50 of the retailer’s stores had been damaged, including 20 that were looted. He estimated the resulting losses at tens of millions of euros.

The protests grew out of student demonstrations over school conditions and teacher shortages before expanding into a broader movement against inflation, inequality, proposed spending cuts and declining public services.

The unrest has intensified political tensions ahead of France’s presidential election scheduled for next year.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blamed extremist groups and criminals for the violence, while Nuñez said those responsible would be identified and prosecuted. Economy Minister Roland Lescure pledged support for businesses affected by the destruction.

President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to address the nation on Sunday evening after meeting senior government officials to discuss the situation.

Authorities face the immediate task of restoring order, repairing damaged public buildings and helping businesses recover. The full cost of the destruction has yet to be established.