France Reels After Night of Violent Protests and Looting

Violent protests erupted across France on Saturday, with rioters damaging buildings and looting stores, leaving streets calm by Sunday morning. President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation Sunday evening. Demonstrations against rising living costs and deteriorating public services turned violent, as groups attacked public buildings, luxury shops, and police vehicles. Tear gas entered ground-floor homes, with one Paris resident describing the scene as "like a war zone." Researcher Paola Formenti noted violence was a minor part of the protests, urging focus on demands. Many citizens struggle with daily expenses, education, food, and housing, fueling anger over unaddressed government responses.