PARIS—Violent protests swept across France on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of at least 1,200 people during demonstrations against school conditions and rising living costs. An estimated 550,000 people took to the streets nationwide, according to the French government.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 150 police officers were injured during the unrest. In Saint-Étienne, Mayor Régis Juanico said a young man lost his hand due to a grenade explosion.
In Paris, riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons against crowds. While the main march remained largely peaceful in the afternoon, groups later set fires and torched vehicles in central locations, including the Place de la République. Police were observed charging into crowds with batons. Shops were ransacked and at least one restaurant was destroyed by fire.
Other cities reported substantial damage. In Limoges, a fire at the town hall caused a partial roof collapse. Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet told BFMTV that the burning of the city's tourist office "breaks our hearts because it's a very iconic, well-known historic building." Local police said hostile individuals obstructed firefighters from safely addressing the fire. An Apple store in Lille was broken into. Damage was also reported in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.
The interior ministry said the protests featured targeted violence from hooded individuals in Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse, Angers and parts of the capital.
Footage authenticated by BBC Verify showed masked men driving a tourist train in Grenoble toward riot police officers, underscoring the confrontational nature of some demonstrations.
The protests follow weeks of student demonstrations over staff shortages and deteriorating facilities in France's secondary schools. On Saturday, student protesters were joined by trade union members and other activist groups, including participants from the yellow vest movement, which protested cost-of-living increases starting in 2018.
The convergence of student grievances with broader concerns over the cost of living reflects ongoing discontent in France. The scale of arrests and injuries presents a significant challenge to public order as authorities manage escalating tensions.
