Luxury Stores Looted in Cost of Living Protests in France

As demonstrations held across France to protest rising living costs turned into violence, luxury retail stores, supermarkets, and public buildings were targeted. In the cities of Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lille, masked groups smashed windows to steal goods from stores such as Apple and Louis Vuitton, while approximately 1,200 people were detained in the incidents.

Crowds reacting to the increase in living costs in France poured into the streets, but the demonstrations quickly became the scene of violence. According to Le Parisien newspaper, an Apple store and Louis Vuitton shops were targeted in Bordeaux, while another Apple branch was looted in Lille. The Maritima news agency reported that a Hermes boutique in Marseille was robbed by crowds. Footage shared on social media showed masked protesters entering stores and fleeing with valuable items.

In addition to luxury stores, supermarkets, clothing retailers, and pharmacies were also targeted by the attacks. Historic town halls, including municipal buildings in Lyon and Marseille and an iconic structure in Limoges, were attacked, numerous vehicles were set on fire, and government offices were vandalized. While Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that approximately 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations nationwide, the CGT union estimated this figure to be around 800,000. Meanwhile, the Reuters agency announced that about 1,200 people were detained, and President Emmanuel Macron stated that those who carried out the attacks would be punished.