More than 1,200 people were arrested across France on Saturday as demonstrations over deteriorating conditions in schools and the rising cost of living descended into violent clashes, looting and arson.
The French government described the unrest as an “escalation in violence” as an estimated 550,000 people took to the streets across the country, reports BBC.
In Paris, clashes between demonstrators and riot police continued into the evening, with officers using tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds.
Buildings were set on fire in the capital and other cities. In Limoges, a major blaze at the town hall caused part of the roof to collapse.
Several cities reported looting and widespread vandalism targeting town halls and businesses.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers had been injured during the unrest.
The main march in Paris appeared largely peaceful during the afternoon. A group of young demonstrators told the BBC they were “pacifists” who were “just trying to make things change, but nothing is moving”.
However, as the day progressed, some groups started fires in the streets and torched vehicles, including near the Place de la République, one of the capital’s best-known landmarks.
Shops were ransacked, at least one restaurant was gutted by fire, and BBC reporters witnessed fights breaking out among some groups.
Riot police charged at a crowd in central Paris and struck several people with batons.
In Lyon, Mayor Grégory Doucet described the burning of the city’s tourist office as “a tragedy” for the city.
Speaking to BFMTV, he said, “it breaks our hearts because it’s a very iconic, well-known historic building”.
Local police said “hostile individuals” had prevented firefighters from safely tackling the blaze.
Firefighters also battled the fire at Limoges town hall. The local prefecture confirmed that part of the building had collapsed.
In the south-eastern city of Saint-Étienne, a young man “had his hand blown off by a grenade”, Mayor Régis Juanico said on social media, adding: “Such a tragedy should never have happened.”
The interior ministry said the demonstrations had involved “targeted acts of violence” by “hooded individuals” in several locations, including parts of Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
Authorities also reported damage to buildings in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.
In Paris, demonstrators raided clothing and food shops, while an Apple store in Lille was broken into and emptied.
Footage authenticated by BBC Verify showed masked men driving a tourist train along a narrow street in central Grenoble towards at least three riot police officers.
Hundreds of thousands of students have taken part in protests in recent weeks over staff shortages and deteriorating facilities at the country’s lycées, secondary schools attended by pupils aged 15 to 18.
Trade union members and other protest groups joined the demonstrations on Saturday, swelling the crowds.
Among them were members of the so-called gilets jaunes, or yellow vest, movement, which staged protests against rising living costs for more than a year from 2018, becoming one of the longest-running protest movements in French history.
Although France has a long history of protests and civil unrest, the latest unrest comes as the country faces a period of deep political uncertainty.
President Emmanuel Macron is due to leave office next year, while opinion polls suggest that April’s presidential election could turn into a contest between Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the hard-left La France Insoumise party.
Mélenchon joined demonstrations in France and later accused police officers of “unleashing” on protesters. He also condemned looting and arson.
Lecornu criticised his remarks as “dangerous and cynical”.
Earlier, the prime minister said police had faced “violence of extreme intensity”. He also accused some groups of using the demonstrations as a “warm-up” for the presidential elections.
“No-one will impose their political agenda through violence,” he said.
Le Pen said protesters’ “legitimate demands” had been “held hostage by the far left”, accusing Mélenchon of fuelling the violence.
Macron warned that those responsible for attacks and looting would face legal consequences.
“Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” he said.
The government has sought to address some of the protesters’ grievances. Education Minister Édouard Geffray promised 3,000 additional supply teachers during a television interview on 8 October.
