Cost-of-living protests descended into violence across parts of France on Saturday as demonstrators clashed with police officers and set buildings and vehicles alight.
More than half a million people are thought to have joined the demonstrations, including 110,000 in the French capital, Paris. Violence also broke out in cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Rennes, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice, Toulouse, and Limoges, where the town hall was almost completely destroyed in a fierce blaze.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday that more than 500 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters were injured during the protests, with 1,800 people arrested.
Euronews has put together 10 of the most dramatic images from the day.
A car burns at Republique square during a protest against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedA burning tourism office during a demonstration against rising living costs and in solidarity with students’ grievances in Lyon, France, Saturday, Oct. 17.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedProtesters attack a tourism office during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Lyon, France, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedProtesters run past a looted store during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedPolice detain a protester during a demonstration against rising living costs and students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedProtesters stand in front of burning bicycles during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedPolice scuffle with protesters during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedPolice officers stand guard in front of a looted store during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Lyon, France, Saturday, Oct. 17.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedProtesters confront police during a demonstration against rising living costs and in support of students’ grievances in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedProtesters run to leave the Republique square during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students' grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
