French protests turned violent as 1800 people were arrested over riots and looting in major cities, with historic buildings torched and widespread damage reported. The unrest followed weeks of demonstrations by students, teachers, and parents demanding better school conditions and government action on the cost of living.
The violence saw public buildings stormed and torched, with the 19th-century town hall in Limoges destroyed by a 'wild horde' of rioters. Paris witnessed a record number of arrests, with 855 detained, and shops across the country looted, causing an estimated hundreds of millions in losses.
The government faces criticism over its response, with officials calling it a 'colossal failure of the state' and political figures blaming far-left groups for the violence. The unrest has raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in managing large-scale protests.