Thousands of people were arrested on October 17 and 18 as protests in France escalated into the worst wave of violence the country has seen in decades.
From peaceful marches to extreme violence
According to The Guardian, before the protests escalated into violence on October 17, hundreds of thousands of people had been marching peacefully in cities across France.
However, some extremist groups clashed with police and attacked buildings, shops, supermarkets, and law enforcement vehicles.
In Paris, a march around the Place de la République turned violent when protesters—dressed in black and wearing masks—threw fireworks and stones at the police, forcing officers to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
These extremist groups also attempted to storm shopping centers, vandalized banks, and looted various fashion boutiques.
The violence spread to several other cities as well. In Limoges, a 143-year-old town hall was nearly destroyed by fire after it was set ablaze by masked protesters. In Marseille, demonstrators used street security barriers to smash through the doors of the town hall.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned the violence, stating that legitimate protests had been exploited by troublemakers to carry out acts of destruction and looting.
“These are lawbreakers who saw an opportunity to smash things and loot. We will track them down and deal with them severely,” he declared.
Speaking to Euronews, a source close to the French Interior Ministry warned that far-left groups might attempt to incite confrontations with law enforcement and breach security perimeters.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ᴀsserted that the government would “not be intimidated” by “far-left forces and criminal elements.”
A severe wave of unrest
According to the newspaper *Le Monde*, French official Sébastien Lecornu stated on the evening of October 17 (local time) that 150 police officers had been injured and over 1,200 people arrested during the clashes.
In the latest development, Paris police reported on October 18 that 855 individuals had been arrested in connection with the violence—a record-high figure for the French capital. Deputy Mayor of Paris Lamia El Aaraje remarked that the city had witnessed “an unprecedented level of violence.”
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office noted that the figure of 855 is provisional and subject to change.
“Arrests continued throughout the night, lasting until 6:00 a.m. today (October 18),” the office stated. Most of the arrests were related to the possession of stolen property, gathering with the intent to commit acts of violence, and vandalism.
Meanwhile, Reuters has described this as “one of the worst waves of unrest” that France has faced in decades.
According to French media, the wave of protests originated in schools in the Paris suburbs back in September, when students took to the streets to protest against teacher shortages and the deterioration of school facilities.
The protests subsequently spread, drawing in various groups dissatisfied with soaring prices and the declining quality of public services. President Macron calls for calm
According to the French Interior Ministry, approximately 550,000 people took part in protests nationwide, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) estimated the figure to be as high as 800,000.
Amid the risk of escalating violence, a heavy police presence was deployed in central Paris, particularly around the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
Many metro stations near the Élysée Palace, the National ᴀssembly, and various government offices were also closed at the request of the authorities.
On October 16, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the right to protest must be balanced with respect for individuals and property.
“Protesting and expressing one’s views are rights guaranteed by the Consтιтution. I remain committed to ensuring that these rights are fully respected,” Macron stated.
Furthermore, President Macron declared that those who engage in acts of vandalism, attack administrative facilities or businesses, or loot town halls will face prosecution and penalties.
“We must all stand united against those who sow chaos—those who seek only to destroy insтιтutions and hinder individuals who wish to express their demands peacefully,” he said.
According to Al Jazeera, protests also took place elsewhere in Europe on October 17, including in Italy and Portugal, adding further pressure on European governments.
As reported by Euronews, U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance suggested on October 18 that immigration policies are the root cause of the violence in France.
He expressed hope that the current unrest in France would come to an end before more of the nation’s iconic landmarks are destroyed by fire.
500 French high schools forced to close due to student protests
Around 500 high schools across France were forced to partially or fully close on October 5 due to security concerns, as student protests continued to spread, accompanied by multiple incidents of violence.