Limoges city hall bell tower collapses after fire during cost-of-living protest

The 19th-century city hall in Limoges was set on fire during a protest against the high cost of living on Saturday, October 17, causing its 43-meter bell tower to collapse and leaving the building "largely lost," according to local officials. Mayor Guillaume Guérin and Prefect Maurice Barate said the fire was an intentional act by radical "crackers," not protesters. The roof collapsed onto lower floors, two-thirds of the facade was destroyed, and no injuries were reported among staff and officials inside. Around 5,000 people marched in Limoges, including hundreds described as violent extremists who clashed with police, attacked the prefecture, and looted shops. The mayor condemned the attackers' "hatred of institutions," while four national and two municipal police vehicles were burned.