France riots live updates: ‘Apocalyptic’ scenes as violent protesters take to the streets for ANOTHER day – following night of looting

Updated: 13:57 EDT, 18 October 2026

France has experienced yet another day of violent protests, with several cities looted and set on fire as more than half a million people took to the streets.

The demonstrations began over the cost of living crisis, education standards and President Emmanuel Macron’s government, although most gatherings were peaceful.

However, more than 1,200 demonstrators were arrested as the streets of major cities were turned into a battleground, with widespread riots described as ‘apocalyptic’.

Macron is expected to deliver an emergency address to the nation at 7pm BST (8pm CEST) following an emergency meeting with ministers this afternoon.

‘Hundred of millions’ in damages to business

Looting rampages were reported over the weekend in Paris and other cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg, on the margins of protests over the cost of living.

Around 1,500 businesses were damaged with losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the Retail and Trade Federation. One person died during the main march in Paris, but officials said the case was health-related.

‘It’s like we had a war’, a 78-year-old Paris resident Mehmet Ozeden said amid burnt street barricades from the protests.

Another resident, Anita Gras, said she saw young men loot a sports shoe retailer.

‘It’s appalling, terrifying – groups of young people came here yesterday, looting, smashing everything, with total impunity’, said 57-year-old Cecile Rogue while surveying a pile of charred bicycles.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 18: The storefront of a bakery destroyed following the demonstration in Place de la RÃ©publique on October 18, 2026 in Paris, France. At least 1,200 people were arrested across France yesterday during widespread, violent protests that reunited "Yellow Vest" (gilets jaunes) demonstrators with students, farmers, and trade unions. Propelled by anger over rising living costs, cutting public spending, and school conditions, an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 people took to the streets nationwide. (Photo by Tom Lartige Catillon/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 18: Burnt-out car wrecks at the entrance to Place de la RÃ©publique the day after the demonstration on October 18, 2026 in Paris, France. At least 1,200 people were arrested across France yesterday during widespread, violent protests that reunited "Yellow Vest" (gilets jaunes) demonstrators with students, farmers, and trade unions. Propelled by anger over rising living costs, cutting public spending, and school conditions, an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 people took to the streets nationwide. (Photo by Tom Lartige Catillon/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 18: Firefighters extinguish fires set to bicycles and street debris as streets across Paris show signs of damage following a day of violent clashes between police and protesters amid a nationwide mobilization over rising living costs, fuel prices, and education funding in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Backlash from French opposition

Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidate for the National Rally party, said the troubles showed that Macron’s administration was ‘running on fumes, exhausted and disoriented’.

‘We are experiencing a profound crisis of trust and authority, which poses a threat to democracy’, said Le Pen, who leads opinion polls ahead of the election.

Le Pen has blamed ultra-left groups, while Jean-Luc Melenchon head of the far-left France Unbowed party accused authorities of inflaming tensions.

President Macron holding emergency talks

The French President has been holding an Interministerial Crisis Meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, the day after riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide protests against the high cost of living rocked the nation.

In attendance are France’s Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, and French Government Secretary General Laurence Marion.

epa13314048 France's President Emmanuel Macron reacts ahead of an Interministerial Crisis Meeting chaired by him at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, 18 October 2026, the day after riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide protests against the high cost of living. The French president was to give a televised address at 18:00 GMT on 18 October 2026, his office said, in the wake of violent protests that rocked the country. The broadcast was to take place after a meeting between Macron and various ministers, the Elysee said. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT

epa13314051 (From L) France's Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, France's President Emmanuel Macron, France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, and French Government Secretary General Laurence Marion take part in an Interministerial Crisis Meeting chaired by France's President at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, 18 October 2026, the day after riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide protests against the high cost of living. The French president was to give a televised address at 18:00 GMT on 18 October 2026, his office said, in the wake of violent protests that rocked the country. The broadcast was to take place after a meeting between Macron and various ministers, the Elysee said. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT

This photograph shows an empty conference room ahead of an Interministerial Crisis Meeting chaired by France's President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, October 18, 2026. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS

Rioters attack shopkeeper as police admit they’ve lost control

New looting was reported on Sunday as police battled protesters in a Paris square – one day after nationwide rallies descended into widespread chaos.

A distraught woman was seen begging rioters in Paris not to loot a supermarket.

She was heard asking ‘why are you doing this’ and screaming ‘this is not the cause’ as a group of young male rioters push past her into the smashed shop.

The footage then shows the crowd appearing to cheer as the balaclava-clad looters leave with arms full of stolen goods.

The shop was one of many buildings and businesses to be damaged in the demonstrations, as roughly 550,000 protesters took to the country’s streets.

Latest pictures from Paris

Police have been battling protesters in a Paris square and new looting was reported Sunday, one day after nationwide rallies descended into widespread chaos and looting.

Several hundred people gathered in the Republique square in Paris following social media calls for a gathering.

Place de la Republique in Paris is a habitual gathering site for protests, and was the scene of widespread clashes and pillaging Saturday.

The Paris police prefecture said the latest demonstration had not been approved and police ‘carried out checks’ and ‘put a security arrangement in place’ to be able to ‘intervene quickly if needed’.

‘Faced with the initial signs of tension’ police moved in ‘to disperse (the crowd) and make arrests’, the prefecture added.

Some 855 arrests were made in Paris on Saturday when several buildings and stores were looted and set alight amid pitched battles between police and masked demonstrators.

Tear gas was fired a first time at the Republique square on Sunday to break up the rally, according to television images, but the protesters returned.

Bottles and rocks were said to have been thrown at security forces who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

Police charged the crowd to try to break it up and several arrests were made.

Demonstrators put up banners around the statue at the heart of the square complaining about the cost of living. Many were dressed in black and some were masked.

Flames and smoke rise, during civil unrest, the day after a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Paris, France, October 18, 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

A demonstrator stands as flames rise behind them, during civil unrest, the day after a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Paris, France, October 18, 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

Police officers stand in front of a fire in a street as clashes erupted at Place de la Republique following an unauthorised demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026 a day after nationwide protests against the "high cost of living". France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 1,200 people were arrested in protests across the country on October 17, and 150 police were hurt as clashes between police and protesters, massive looting and multiple blazes gripped France as nationwide marches against soaring inflation degenerated into street violence of "extreme intensity". (Photo by Matthieu RONDEL / AFP via Getty Images)

Donald Trump blames ‘immigrants with hatred in their hearts’ for French riots

Welcome

Good evening, welcome to the Daily Mail’s live blog covering the unrest in France.

We will be bringing you the latest updates throughout the night, with President Macron set to speak to the nation at 7pm after another violently-charged day of protests.

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