Arson attacks hit French city rarely linked to unrest
The gist
Masked protesters set fire to Limoges' 143-year-old town hall during nationwide cost-of-living protests on Oct 17.
The blaze gutted a landmark in a city rarely touched by unrest.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2026Demonstrations began over school conditions and teacher shortages in working-class suburbs, later broadening into a movement against inequality, public spending cuts and the rising cost of living.
- Oct 17, 2026Nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and fuel prices took place; hundreds of thousands marched, with clashes, arson and looting in several cities.
- Oct 17, 2026In Limoges, masked protesters who had torched a police car outside the town hall broke windows, entered the building and set a fire; the 143-year-old town hall was largely destroyed, its roof collapsed onto lower floors except the west wing, two-thirds of the exterior disappeared and the bell tower collapsed. Several shops in the centre were also looted.