Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France, joining students

Tensions flared across France as protesters rallied against rising living costs and in support of high school students’ grievances, with violence breaking out in Paris and other major cities. In Paris, police dispersed masked and hooded groups in the Place de la République using tear gas and water cannons, after fires were reported including a car and a newspaper kiosk. Similar incidents occurred in Lyon, where a fire broke out at a tourist office, and in Marseille, where shops and a municipal police station were damaged and protesters briefly entered City Hall. Organizers linked the demonstrations to a revival of the 2018 “yellow vest” movement. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s office reported 140 protest actions outside the Paris region and at least 166 arrests nationwide.