France's nationwide cost-of-living protests took a destructive turn on Saturday when the historic town hall in Limoges was set ablaze, causing its spire to collapse. The building, a landmark dating back to 1879, was largely destroyed in the fire, according to the Haute-Vienne prefecture.
Rioters broke into the town hall around 6 pm local time before starting the blaze, the prefecture said in a statement. Firefighters were mobilised in large numbers, but the damage was extensive. The prefecture described the building as "a heritage site and iconic landmark for everyone" and confirmed that several businesses in the Rue Jean Jaurès area were also looted.
Maurice Barate, the prefect of Haute-Vienne, strongly condemned the "arson attack" and other incidents in the city. Around 2,000 people had gathered in the Casseaux district in the east of Limoges, with more than 500 individuals "deliberately seeking confrontation," according to the prefecture. Four police officers sustained serious injuries, and four police vehicles were destroyed. Protesters later blocked the A20 motorway before moving toward the city centre. Nineteen people have been detained in connection with the unrest.
Limoges mayor Guillaume Guérin called the violence "unacceptable," while acknowledging the right to protest. "Protesting is a right, and anger deserves to be heard. Yet, no disagreement or grievance can ever justify the destruction of public property," he said.
Nationwide unrest
The protests, which merged with ongoing student demonstrations, drew around 550,000 people across France, according to the Interior Ministry, including roughly 110,000 in Paris. In the capital, scenes turned chaotic as looters targeted shops and police deployed tear gas and water cannons. A Euronews crew was attacked by masked looters near Place de la République while covering the demonstrations.
Not all of Paris saw violence. Around Boulevard de Clichy and Place de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, the atmosphere remained peaceful, according to a Euronews journalist on the scene.
President Emmanuel Macron responded on social media, stating that there was "no place for violence" in France. The unrest is part of a broader wave of cost-of-living protests across Europe, with similar clashes reported in Brussels and Liège and Portugal's housing protests.
The destruction of the Limoges town hall, inaugurated on 14 July 1883, is a significant cultural loss. The building was not only an administrative centre but also a symbol of the city's heritage. Its loss has shocked many, even as the broader protests continue to highlight deep-seated economic frustrations.
As France grapples with the fallout, the government faces the challenge of addressing legitimate grievances while preventing further destruction of public property. The coming days will likely see continued demonstrations, with authorities vowing to maintain order.
