Key facts
- President Macron appealed for calm on Sunday.
- Thousands arrested nationwide on Saturday.
- Nearly 1,000 police officers injured.
- 50 Carrefour shops damaged, 20 looted.
President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm on Sunday following one of France's worst days of civil unrest in years. Thousands were arrested and businesses were damaged or looted nationwide after protests against the cost of living and declining public services escalated into riots on Saturday. Clashes between protesters and riot police occurred in Paris and Marseille, while a town hall in Limoges was torched. Macron condemned the violence, stating that nothing justified or explained it. He noted that peaceful protesters had legitimate grievances, distinguishing them from those seeking to cause destruction. The government blamed ultra-left groups and criminals for the unrest. Over half a million people had joined marches across France on Saturday.