France protests: 1,800 arrested, Limoges city hall burned; Macron vows accountability

French President Emmanuel Macron has said those responsible for violence and looting during nationwide protests will be held accountable, after unrest that left at least 1,800 people arrested and caused extensive damage, including a fire that gutted the 19th-century city hall in Limoges.

In a televised address on Sunday, Mr Macron acknowledged the public’s “anger” and “shame” over the rioting and looting. He said those who looted would have to pay for the damage and that “those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.” He attributed what he called “unrestrained violence” to “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

The protests were called by a labour union, student organisations and activists against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Authorities said about 550,000 people took part across France, while organisers put the figure at about 800,000. Demonstrators hoped to revive the “yellow vest” movement, which emerged in 2018 to protest social injustice.

On Saturday, masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities. Flames engulfed Limoges city hall, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building. Looting and damage were reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux, including tourist and shopping districts. Paris police said 855 people were arrested in the capital region and 557 remained in custody. One person died of a heart attack, Paris police said, without giving details; the Paris prosecutor’s office said it was investigating.

Mr Macron held an emergency meeting with senior officials and said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote on X that “the right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not.” He cited the looting of hundreds of businesses.

Hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday at Place de la République in Paris amid a heavy police presence. Officers used tear gas as tensions flared sporadically, with small groups trying to set bicycles and rubbish bins on fire. Dislodged cobblestones, shattered storefronts and broken glass littered the area. Parisians inspecting the damage photographed the partially dismantled base of the square’s central monument, a statue of Marianne, a symbol of France.

“I am actually stunned by the level of destruction and violence that was expressed,” said government employee Marie Peyreigne, 57. Jean Foissy, 74, said he had wanted to join the protest but encountered “a wall of riot police and fires everywhere” and returned home. “I was very scared,” he said. Margaux Eude, 26, said she supported the movement but “didn’t think it would escalate like this. It’s the troublemakers who came, and it breaks my heart because it delegitimises the movement.”

Mass protests in France are often marred by violence on the fringes of otherwise peaceful marches, leading to clashes with police. The arrest tally reported on Sunday approached the nearly 2,000 recorded nationwide during a single day of yellow vest protests in December 2018.

Political leaders across the spectrum sought to draw advantage from the fallout ahead of next spring’s presidential election. The unrest has intensified debate over public order, the cost of living and the government’s response, with parties positioning themselves for the campaign.