"Live: Chaotic scenes as organisers of French protests claim 800,000 have taken to streets"

From France24:

Issued on: 17/10/2026 - 07:17Modified: 18/10/2026 - 02:22

A protester's hand was blown off by a police crowd-control grenade on Saturday as the nationwide demonstrations against the higher cost of living and school conditions turned violent. According to France’s biggest trade union, the CGT, some 800,000  people are taking part in the protests. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. 

Summary

• Who is protesting and what do they want?
• Scuffles and fires break out in in Paris, Lyon and Marseille
• Organisers say 800,000 have taken to streets
• Some 550,000 people protested in France, interior minister says
• French protesters set tourism office ablaze in Lyon
• Protester has hand blown off by police grenade in Saint-Étienne
• Protesters in Lille force their way into town hall
• Protesters clash with police in Brussels
• French police arrest 400 during protests

3 hours ago

France PM slams 'violence of extreme intensity' in protests

France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu threw his support behind law enforcement officers after what he called "violence of extreme intensity" on Saturday on the sidelines of cost-of living protests.

"I want to tell the French people that they can be proud of their police officers and gendarmes. They have faced violence of extreme intensity to protect our fellow citizens, and they deserve all our support," the Prime Minister said on X.

Les manifestations pacifiques ont toute leur place dans notre République. Les incendies, les pillages et les attaques n’en ont aucune.

Aujourd’hui, des groupes d’ultragauche ont organisé la violence dans plusieurs villes de France ; des délinquants s’y sont mêlés pour piller et…— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) October 17, 2026 

3 hours ago
France's Macron says vandalism, looting will be 'punished' after protests

France's President Emmanuel Macron vowed to punish those who wrecked public property or raided shops on the sidelines of cost-of-living protests on Saturday. 

"Those who carried out vandalism, attacked administrative offices or businesses, or carried out looting -- even in our town halls -- will be prosecuted and punished," he said on X.

Aucune place pour la violence dans notre République.

Ceux qui ont cassé, attaqué les préfectures comme les commerces, pillé jusqu’à nos mairies, seront poursuivis et punis.

Aux forces de l’ordre, garantes du droit à manifester, je dis le soutien de la Nation.

Nous ferons tous…— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 17, 2026 

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