In brief
On a Saturday, an estimated half a million demonstrators took to French streets demanding greater investment in education and action on the rising cost of living. The protests promptly turned chaotic, with cars set on fire, buildings torched and shops looted. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons, arresting more than 1,200 people. The unrest follows weeks of student strikes and reflects growing frustration over President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the crisis. The BBC’s onsite correspondent Adina Campbell reports from Paris.
An estimated 550,000 demonstrators flooded French cities Saturday, demanding increased investment in education and decisive action to curb the soaring cost of living. The protests quickly turned chaotic, with cars set ablaze, buildings torched and shops looted.
Police forces responded with riot gear, tear gas and heavy water cannons, arresting more than 1,200 people across the country.
The unrest follows weeks of student‑led protests and reflects growing frustration over President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the crisis. Macron has called for the “prosecution and punishment” of vandalism and looting in a social media post.
BBC correspondent Adina Campbell reports from Paris. For more details, watch the embedded video above or follow the link to the full coverage.
