Widespread looting erupted across Paris, Marseille, Lille, and several other regions following a wave of nationwide demonstrations that devolved into intense violence and vandalism. In Paris, crowds clashed directly with riot police who deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. Throughout the day, groups set street fires and torched vehicles, while at least one restaurant was completely gutted by fire. Riot police were observed charging at crowds in central Paris and using batons against individuals.
Further south in Marseille, demonstrators used a metal fence as a battering ram to breach the city hall. In Lille, authorities reported that a McDonald's restaurant was set on fire and an Apple store was broken into and looted. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that 150 police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.
By Sunday morning, residents in Paris emerged to survey the extensive damage, which featured the smashed glass frontages of high-end designer stores such as Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Versace. Shopkeepers swept up large shards of glass early in the morning to begin the cleanup process, while rubbish trucks cleared debris from major thoroughfares. Many storefronts were defaced with graffiti bearing slogans such as tax the rich and eat the rich.
A clothing store near the Place de la République was found completely ransacked, with furniture and piles of garments strewn across the floor. The anonymous shop owner reported watching CCTV footage showing looters inside the establishment for over an hour and a half without any police intervention. The owner expressed belief that the perpetrators were opportunistic criminals rather than genuine demonstrators protesting school conditions or the cost of living. Additional broadcast footage displayed masked teenage groups emptying shelves inside a mobile phone shop.