Celine, Dior Stores Looted After Doors Smashed... Protesters Leave Paris Luxury District in Ruins

Mass protests in France against soaring living and fuel costs escalated into violent unrest, including looting and arson. Luxury stores in major Paris shopping districts were ransacked, while city halls and tourist facilities in regional cities were set ablaze, adding to political uncertainty ahead of next April's presidential election.

According to French media, on October 17, protests against high prices were held at more than 1,750 locations across France, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille. Organizers estimated that about 800,000 people took part, while police put the figure at 500,000. The protests grew as labor groups and members of the Yellow Vest movement, which spread in 2018 in opposition to a fuel tax increase, joined student demonstrations that have continued since last month.

The protests were peaceful at first but turned violent in the afternoon as some participants moved into downtown shopping districts. At a rally that began at Place de la Republique in northeastern Paris, participants played the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise." However, some protesters who moved toward the city center attacked shops and public facilities.

Targets of looting included the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, luxury boutiques such as Celine and Dior, mobile phone stores and supermarkets. Some protesters used ladders and fences to break down shop doors and take merchandise. At Place Vendome and along the Champs-Elysees, masked protesters clashed with police, throwing fireworks and other objects. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, while a series of arson attacks also broke out, including fires set in vehicles parked downtown.

Protesters storm a Celine luxury store and loot merchandise in Paris, France. Video: X account (Farid Benlagha Le Hazif)

The violence also spread to regional cities. In Limoges in southwestern France, the city hall, a national heritage building dating back to the 18th century, was attacked, and parts of its bell tower were set ablaze. In Lyon, a tourist information center was completely destroyed by arson. In Marseille, France's second-largest city, shops and a police station were damaged, and protesters briefly occupied the city hall. Attacks and attempted looting targeting public institutions and media outlets were also reported in Toulouse, Grenoble and Angers.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said there had been organized destruction of property across the city and that the damage was extensive. France's Interior Ministry reported that more than 400 people had been arrested nationwide.

The government announced a tough response. President Emmanuel Macron said there was no place for violence in France and that acts of vandalism against public property and looting would be punished severely. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also said police and gendarmes had protected the public in the face of extreme violence, and called for support for law enforcement.

Political disputes over the nature of the protests have also intensified. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), appeared at the protest site. Marine Le Pen, a lawmaker from the far-right National Rally (RN), which is leading in presidential election polls, criticized the far left for taking legitimate social demands hostage and inciting violence and disorder.

Locally, attention is focused on whether the protests will lead to a revival of the Yellow Vest movement, which cornered the Macron government eight years ago. As discontent over the cost of living and the worsening economy spills over into mass street protests and political confrontation, the government is expected to face growing pressure in the run-up to the presidential election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.