Smashed storefronts, torched cars and graffiti — France protests and their aftermath in pictures

Torched cars, smashed shopfronts and burnt debris scarred numerous streets in Paris on Sunday, where officials said 557 people were in custody as France reeled from widespread damage caused by violent protests the day before. Hundreds of shops were looted in Paris and other cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg, during the protests over the cost of living . The city of Limoges lost its 19th-century town hall to a fire, while a tourist office in the centre of Lyon was set ablaze as well. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,800 people were arrested over the protests and looting, with investigations under way “to identify the perpetrators of these acts”. Around 500 police, firefighters and paramedics were hurt in the protests, the minister said.

Here are glimpses of what went down across France over the weekend after the “Yellow Vest” movement called Saturday’s “yellow and youth” demonstrations. A car burns near a graffiti reading “introduction to civil war” as clashes erupted during a demonstration against the “high cost of living”, in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP This photograph shows a fire burning and destroying the city hall after a group of individuals forced entry into the building during ongoing protest action against the “high cost of living”, in Limoges, central France on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP Protesters shield themselves from police water cannons during a demonstration to protest against the “high cost of living”, at Place de la Republique in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP Protestors hold a banner reading “ACAB” (for “All Cops are Bastards “) during a demonstration on Place de la Republique to protest against the “high cost of living”, in Paris on Oct 17, 2026. — AFP A fire is seen with the Eiffel Tower in the background during a…