We and our partners do the following data processing based on your consent: store and/or access information on a device, personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Looters seize on massive French protests to raid and vandalise shops Looters on Saturday seized the opportunity to raid and vandalise a host of shops and businesses across France – from bakeries and supermarkets to tech stores – as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest higher living costs and other grievances. A looter runs off with his haul in Lyon, France’s third biggest city, on October 17, 2026. © Jeff Pachoud, Looters in several French cities on Saturday broke into stores ranging from a high-end luxury brand to a bakery, on the sidelines of cost-of-living protests, witnesses and authorities said. In Paris, near the République square, the front window of a skincare brand came crashing down, with looters tossing beauty products to dozens of people massing outside.
Looters also threw mobile phones into the crowd after breaking into a telecommunications shop. Read moreLooting, fires and clashes rock France amid massive nationwide protests The main monument in Republique was covered in graffiti, with pavings tones ripped up from its feet, and a bar called “La Barrique” was ablaze. Youths broke into a supermarket nearby, grabbing alcohol bottles and drink cans to hurl at police officers, another reporter said.
In the second-largest city of Marseille, angry protesters vandalised dozens of shops, targeting luxury brand Hermès as well as others stores selling jewellery, clothes, makeup, household appliances and even bread. The fire brigade said it had intervened to put out a fire that had started at a shoe shop. In the northern city of Lille, shops were vandalised, with looters in particular breaking into an Apple Store in the city centre, Socialist mayor Arnaud Deslandes said.
Several stores were looted in the southern city of Nice, including sportswear outlets and a motorbike dealership. Purchasing power in France has dwindled since 2024, while the price of fuel has soared since the start of the US-Iran war earlier this year. As France gears up for elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron next year, public anger has mounted in recent weeks over perceived police brutality against high-school student protests.
Looting, fires and clashes rock France amid massive nationwide protests 'Finish what we started': After student protests, France braces for return of the Yellow Vests 1. 1 ## Ukraine's backers will 'be looking at' Kyiv's €70 billion request, Macron says As it happened Europe 2. 2 ## Why have US-Ukraine relations soured ahead of the midterms? Analysis Europe 3. 3 ## Zelensky meets NATO chief and EU leaders in push to apply 'real pressure' on Russia As it happened Europe 4. 4 ## Teen shooter kills three children and teacher at Oregon elementary school Americas Includes a video 1 min 5. 5 ## No, this oil tanker didn’t carry Russian diesel to the United States 6. 6 ## Musk says Zelensky should 'go' as doubts grow over US support for Ukraine Americas © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Audience ratings certified by ACPM.ACPM The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
