Students, trade union activists and other protesters took to the streets of several major cities, raising concerns about fuel prices and poor teaching conditions in schools.
According to the BBC, around 550,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, while at least 1,200 people were arrested, citing French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The unrest caused damage in several cities. Reuters reported that masked intruders entered the city hall in Marseille, while shops were damaged and the local tourist office was set on fire in Lyon.
Lecornu also said 150 police officers were injured during the protests, according to the BBC.
In a statement shared on X, the prime minister defended the right to peaceful protest but condemned violence and destruction.
“Peaceful demonstrations have their rightful place in our Republic. Arson, looting, and attacks have no place whatsoever,” he wrote.
Lecornu described the incidents as organised violence in several French cities. He also praised police officers and gendarmes for protecting residents during the unrest.
“At a time when some are seeking to cast blame on our law enforcement forces, I want to tell the French people that they can be proud of their police officers and gendarmes,” he said, adding that officers had faced intense violence while protecting the public.
He also warned against attempts to use the unrest ahead of the presidential election to advance political goals.
“To those who clearly want to use these acts of violence as a ‘warm-up’ before the presidential election, I say this plainly: we will not be intimidated. No one will impose their political agenda through violence,” Lecornu said.
The prime minister further backed a proposed ‘pay-the-damagers’ bill, supported by President Emmanuel Macron, which aims to make people responsible for vandalism pay for damage to public and private property.
“Public money is scarce: it must fund our public services, not endlessly repair what vandals destroy. It is up to them to bear the cost,” Lecornu added.
