At least 2,400 people arrested as weekend protests turn to riots and looting across France

Summary

Mass protests across France over the weekend drew more than half a million people, according to the Guardian, and included rioting, looting and violent clashes with outnumbered police in cities including Paris, Marseille and Limoges. France 24 reports that at least 2,400 people were arrested, some simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and others on suspicion of theft and looting. The Guardian reports that the interior minister conceded police "lost control" in some cities, and that President Emmanuel Macron demanded a full security review. In an official address, Macron warned that "those who looted will have to pay for the damage."

Timeline

1. France 24

   19 Oct 2026, 15:36 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that at least 2,400 people were arrested in France during weekend protests, some simply for being in the wrong place and others on suspicion of theft and looting, and that Macron warned looters would have to pay for the damage.

2. The Guardian

   19 Oct 2026, 16:05 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that more than half a million people were estimated to have joined weekend protests across France that included rioting, looting and clashes with outnumbered police in Paris, Marseille and Limoges, with 2,400 arrests and the interior minister conceding police lost control in some cities.