The looting tally emerged after the protests in Paris.

Following the mass protests held on 17 October in France, looting and violence in many cities caused extensive damage to workplaces and streets. In cities including Paris, shop windows were shattered while vehicles and public buildings also became targets of the attacks. With cleanup operations launched in the capital, the aftermath of the incidents came to light.

Violence Occurred in Many Cities

Protests triggered by rising living costs and economic conditions in France turned violent in some areas. In addition to clashes between demonstrators and police, reports of looting and vandalism emerged in various cities.

In addition to Paris, some groups entered workplaces by breaking shop windows in Bordeaux, Marseille, Lille, and Lyon. While some vehicles were set on fire, public buildings also suffered damage.

Stores of World‑Renowned Brands Targeted

According to reports in the French press, people hiding their faces on Rue Sainte‑Catherine, a busy shopping hub in Bordeaux, looted a large number of stores. Among the targeted businesses were Louis Vuitton and Apple outlets.

It was reported that an Apple store in Lille was looted, and an attack was carried out on a Hermès store in Marseille. The damage that occurred at the businesses after the incidents also highlighted the economic impact of the protests.

Damage and Clean-up Operations on Paris Streets

In the capital Paris, some vehicles became unusable while widespread damage also occurred in many shops. After the protests, work began to remove the debris that had accumulated on the streets and to clean the damaged areas.

Footage recorded the day after the incidents showed the damage left behind in the capital.

855 People Arrested in Paris

The French Interior Ministry announced that about 110,000 people participated in the protests in Paris. The Paris Police Department, in a statement released on the morning of October 18, announced that 855 people had been detained in the capital.

The security forces' interventions and operations carried out in relation to the incidents that occurred during the demonstrations maintained their place in the national agenda after the protests.

Behind the protests, discussions on education and austerity persist.

Since the middle of September, high school students in France have also been staging actions against problems in the education system. Students demand more teachers be hired, classrooms be less crowded, and educational conditions be improved.

The government's austerity budget, aimed at being passed through parliament as part of the fight against high public debt, foresees cuts in education, and this is among the main reasons for the backlash.

Macron Responds to Attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the looting, vandalism, and attacks on public buildings that occurred during the protests.

Macron, who made a statement from his social media account, said that those who damage workplaces and public institutions will be brought before the courts and punished for their actions.

The incidents occurring across the country, the economic hardships, and the debates over public spending have brought France's social tensions back into the spotlight.