# Macron calls for calm as French protests turn to riots

> Hundreds of thousands marched against rising costs on Saturday, but rioting and looting erupted in Paris, Marseille and other cities, with a historic town hall burned and 2,400 arrested.
- Title: Macron calls for calm as French protests turn to riots
- Summary: Hundreds of thousands marched against rising costs on Saturday, but rioting and looting erupted in Paris, Marseille and other cities, with a historic town…
- Keywords: emmanuel macron, france, protests, rioting, paris, marseille, limoges, fuel prices, cost of living, april 2027 election, news, world
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw240zl08dm5o
- Published: 2026-10-18T19:14:10.211+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: emmanuel macron, france, protests, rioting, paris, marseille, limoges, fuel prices, cost of living, april 2027 election, news, world
## Macron calls for calm after Saturday's chaos
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation from the Élysée Palace, calling for calm and order after protests turned into rioting and looting on Saturday, with disorder continuing in Paris on Sunday.
## Half a million marched against rising costs
About five hundred fifty thousand demonstrators took to the streets for largely peaceful protests against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services including schools.
## Macron warns rioters not to escalate
The president said those who had taken part in violence must not escalate, adding we all feel anger and shame. He said nothing justifies the unbridled violence seen and those involved would face justice.

> We all feel anger and shame.
## Rioting spread across multiple French cities
Groups of rioters dressed in black, wearing masks and balaclavas came out in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities, setting fire to cars and buildings. Widespread looting took place across Paris, Marseille and Lille.
## Historic Limoges town hall gutted by fire
In Limoges, the ornate nineteenth century city hall was gutted by a fire started by rioters on Saturday, its clock tower and roof collapsing.

> This is very upsetting. Harming heritage buildings just because you are angry at the government is selfish, I think.
## Police response and arrest figures
Police arrested about two thousand four hundred people according to France's interior ministry.About one thousand police officers were injured on Saturday, seven of them seriously.Tear gas, water cannon and batons were used against crowds.
## Political divisions deepen ahead of April election
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blamed far-left individuals and delinquents for the violence. Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticised police incompetence while Marine Le Pen condemned exploitation of anger by forces encouraging violence, reflecting deep divisions before April's election.
## Key takeaway

French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm after Saturday's largely peaceful protests against fuel prices and living costs descended into rioting and looting across major cities, with about two thousand four hundred arrested.