PARIS, Oct. 18, 2026. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported more than 2,000 arrests following demonstrations over living costs and public services that were accompanied by fires, looting and clashes with police across the country.
In an updated tally on October 18, Nuñez said more than 600 police, gendarmes and firefighters had been injured. The national figures replaced lower counts released earlier in the day. Paris police separately reported 855 arrests in the capital region, a figure included within the nationwide total.
The demonstrations took place on October 17. Fires, looting and clashes with police occurred in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities, while peaceful marches also took place. The Interior Ministry estimated participation at 550,000 nationwide; the CGT union gave an estimate of 800,000.
The BBC reported that students were demanding more teachers and staff, relief from crowded classrooms and repairs to school buildings.
In Paris, police deployed water cannon and tear gas during confrontations. BBC journalists also saw officers charge a crowd and strike people with batons. Stores were looted and vehicles burned, with shopkeepers clearing glass and damaged goods on October 18.
Fire damaged the town hall in Limoges and caused a partial collapse. The BBC reported that people broke into Marseille's city hall and a fire damaged Lyon's tourist office. In Saint-Étienne, Mayor Régis Juanico said a young man lost a hand to an explosive device.
The prosecutor's office in Mulhouse reported an investigation after a 17-year-old girl lost an eye during the protests. The Associated Press did not identify the cause of her injury.
Paris police also reported that one person died from a heart attack. The Paris prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu alleged that far-left groups and criminals were responsible for the destruction during the demonstrations. The mayors of Paris, Lyon and Marseille criticized the government's handling of security and requested a meeting with him.
Protesters gathered at the Place de la République in Paris on October 18. Police used tear gas there, and Reuters reported renewed clashes during the afternoon.
The Associated Press reported that President Emmanuel Macron met senior government officials for talks on October 18. In a national address, Macron said looters must reimburse damage and promised accountability for those seeking to bring down the republic. He said he had instructed prefects to coordinate with mayors on protecting businesses and public buildings over the coming weeks, with protest bans when necessary. Macron also promised rapid aid to shopkeepers affected by the unrest.