French protests over living costs turn violent as luxury stores looted

Protests over living costs and public services turned violent across France, with luxury stores looted and clashes with police reported in multiple cities. Around 550,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, with looters targeting Louis Vuitton and Hermès stores in Bordeaux and vandalism reported in Lyon, Marseille, and other cities. French authorities arrested about 400 people and blamed far-left militants for much of the destruction. The unrest began as student-led protests over education funding and expanded to include teachers, workers, and Yellow Vest supporters. President Emmanuel Macron vowed legal consequences for those responsible, while separate violent protests over similar grievances also erupted in Milan, Italy.