France protests turn fiery and violent. See photos, videos

French officials are calling for order and issuing curfews after anti-government protests erupted into violent unrest over the weekend.

Around 2,400 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 officers were injured over the weekend of Oct. 17 and 18, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, according to Reuters.

While many protesting high prices and declining education did so peacefully on Oct. 17, some violent groups targeted public buildings, looted businesses and vandalized property, officials said.

Authorities issued curfews in parts of Paris and several northern cities for the night of Oct. 19 into early Oct. 20, Reuters reported.

In a televised address to the nation on Oct. 18, President Emmanuel Macron decried the violence, saying, “Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it.”

More news: Macron urges calm after France rocked by violent protests, looting

Photos show destruction from France protests

France anti-government protests turn violent, fiery. See photos

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Anti-government protests in France descended into violence as fires and looting broke out across Paris and other cities.

Officials said around 2,400 people were arrested and roughly 3,000 businesses ransacked over the weekend.

On Oct. 19, protesters blocked the entrance to Paris’ iconic Louvre museum as demonstrations continued.

(Abdul Saboor/REUTERS)

Widespread destruction and fires left behind piles of debris throughout Paris, according to photos.

Police officers were deployed with riot gear as violent protesters looted and vandalized businesses in the city.

Peaceful protesters barricaded the entrance around the iconic Louvre museum on Oct. 19, barring tourists from entering.

Video shows historic city hall collapse during protests

In central France, Limoges city hall partially collapsed after being set ablaze by protesters.

Local official Maurice Barate told Reuters the roof of the building had caved in and large parts of the exterior had been destroyed.

Burnt and destroyed Limoges town hall, which was set ablaze and largely destroyed amid demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Limoges, France, Oct. 18, 2026.

The building opened in 1883 and was inspired by Paris’ city hall, per Reuters.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: France protests turn fiery and violent. See photos, videos

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