'Like we had a war': France counts cost of violent protests

A protester wrapped in a French national flag stands in front of Lyon's tourism office set on fire during a demonstration to protest against the "high cost of living", in Lyon, southeastern France, on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former "Yellow Vests", secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers. After weeks of student protests, France faces broader, nationwide demonstrations on October 17, 2026 over the cost of living, setting up a potentially fraught six months heading into a presidential election. A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD / AFP)

Paris, France (AFP): France was reeling on Sunday from widespread damage caused by violent protests the day before that saw 1,800 people arrested, a historic town hall torched and widespread looting.

"It's like we had a war," a 78-year-old resident in central Paris, Mehmet Ozeden, told AFP amid burnt street barricades from the protests.