Widespread looting erupted across major French cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lille, following a day of increasingly violent protests.
In Paris, demonstrations turned chaotic as protesters clashed with riot police, who deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Throughout the day, groups set fires in the streets and torched vehicles. At least one restaurant was gutted by flames, and the BBC observed fighting breaking out among some protest factions.
Video footage captured riot police charging at protesters in central Paris, striking several individuals with batons.
In Marseille, demonstrators broke into the city hall by using a metal fence as a battering ram. Meanwhile, in Lille, a McDonald’s was set ablaze and an Apple Store was burglarized and looted, according to police reports.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that at least 150 police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.
Sunday morning in Paris revealed extensive damage, with shattered glass frontages of luxury retailers including Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Versace lying in ruins.
Shopkeepers emerged early, armed with brooms, sweeping up large glass shards as they began cleanup efforts. Garbage trucks navigated main thoroughfares to remove debris left behind.
Many storefronts bore graffiti with slogans such as “tax the rich” and “eat the rich.”
The BBC visited a clothing store near Place de la République that had been thoroughly ransacked, with garments and furniture scattered throughout the premises.
The distraught owner, who requested anonymity, told the BBC that security footage showed looters inside the shop for over an hour and a half without any police intervention during that period.
The owner expressed skepticism that those who robbed his store were genuine protesters advocating for educational or cost-of-living reforms, suggesting instead that opportunistic looters had exploited the demonstrations.
CCTV footage broadcast on France’s Channel 2 depicted masked teenagers ransacking a mobile phone retailer, freely taking items from shelves.
