French protests over living costs turn violent with hundreds arrested

Massive protests against high living costs in France turned violent, with attacks on police, looting, and arson, leading to hundreds of arrests nationwide. Interior Ministry officials reported 272 arrests by afternoon, with police using tear gas, batons, and water cannons in Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, and other cities. In Marseille, demonstrators attempted to enter a police station, accessed city hall, and looted shops, while Lyon's tourist office was set on fire. Authorities cited strong mobilization of far-left groups and masked "black bloc" individuals, with around 100 arrests in Paris for carrying weapons. Up to 170,000 protesters were expected, though unions claimed 500,000 participants. The protests, organized via social media without clear leadership, also addressed fuel prices, wages, and agricultural issues, raising government fears of a revival of the 2019 "yellow vest" movement.