This photograph shows a fire burning and destroying the city hall after a group of individuals forced entry into the building during ongoing protest action against the “high cost of living”, in Limoges, central France on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former “Yellow Vest”, secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers. | Photo Credit: AFP
Germany said on Monday (October 19, 2026) that violence has “no place” on the streets, and urged its citizens in France to exercise caution, after town halls and shops were looted and set ablaze in weekend protests.
“The images we have all seen fill us with great concern,” a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in Berlin. “Violence has no place on the streets of our democracies.”
The Ministry updated its travel and security advice for France late on Sunday (October 18, 2026), warning that “further demonstrations and, in some cases, further outbreaks of violence in the coming days cannot be ruled out.” “Exercise caution and avoid demonstrations wherever possible,” it added.
More than 2,500 people were arrested after demonstrations on Saturday (October 17, 2026), which saw about half a million people turn out across France to protest against the cost of living. Unions, school students and activists of the Yellow Vest movement, which rattled the first term of French President Emmanuel Macron, joined forces in a show of anger.
Some demonstrations turned violent, and the city of Limoges lost its 19th-century town hall to a fire that the local prefect, Maurice Barate, told the news channel LCI had been started by “a wild horde.”
Germany’s Foreign Ministry also warned travellers that recent changes in the law meant they could be fined or face charges for damage, if they did not leave a violent demonstration after being told to do so.
Published - October 19, 2026 05:10 pm IST