France has been witnessing major turmoil over the past week. What began as student protests over conditions in schools has now evolved into a broader public outcry over rising costs and the country's declining economy, resulting in violence, looting, deaths and widespread unrest. More than 6,100 people have been arrested, most of them minors. Schools have been barricaded, and historic buildings have been set ablaze.
Paris police imposed an overnight curfew in two areas of the French capital following a weekend of some of the country's worst rioting in years. The violence targeted city halls, public buildings and businesses across the country.
The order was issued to protect "people and property from the violence and looting".
The curfew prohibits anyone from entering or remaining in the Place de la Republique, where rioting took place on Saturday, and the shopping neighbourhood of Les Halles, which has been subjected to looting. But why is France really burning?
When Did the Protests Begin?
Student protests in France began in mid-September, shortly after the start of the school year. Young people took to the streets across europe, including in France, Spain and Portugal, to express their dissatisfaction with school conditions and the broader cost-of-living crisis.
In France, the demonstrations initially focused on missing teachers, overloaded timetables, overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated school buildings, water leaks and rat infestations. Students also complained about buildings struggling to cope with rising temperatures and an opaque university admissions system.
The protests began at a high school in the Paris region. Three weeks later, the high school students' union reported that more than half of France's high schools had been blockaded or shut for an entire day. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu described the demonstrations as the most violent student protests in decades.
Students also alleged that staff shortages had left them without teaching for months at a time. In response, the education ministry moved to deploy around 3,000 reserve teachers to the schools most in need, at a cost of several tens of millions of euros.
However, the demonstrations soon expanded beyond education, drawing in workers, trade unions and other citizens frustrated by rising living costs and economic uncertainty.
Rising Costs Fuel Public Anger
As the protests spread, demonstrators called for lower prices, higher pensions, increased wages and rent freezes. They also demanded an end to the evictions of vulnerable people and tighter regulations on short-term and room rentals.
The General Confederation of Labour, one of France's largest unions, backed the protests and called for measures to ease the financial pressure on households. Rising fuel prices, amid US-Iran clashes, further contributed to public frustration.
Within days, the student demonstrations had evolved into a broader movement reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the government's economic policies and the cost of everyday life.
Police fired tear gas at crowds and clashed with black-clad, hooded rioters who set fires and broke into shops and government buildings. The violence resulted in deaths and serious injuries, while thousands of people were arrested.
France's Mounting Public Debt Adds to Crisis
However, public anger has another underlying cause --France's mounting public debt has become another source of concern.
France's public debt stood at 3.54 trillion euros in early 2026, which is approximately Rs 354 lakh crore in Indian currency.
The finance ministry projects that public debt will reach 119 per cent of GDP this year and 121 per cent next year, more than double the european Union's 60 per cent limit. France last balanced its budget in 1973.
Interest payments on the debt are expected to rise from 64.8 billion euros to 74.2 billion euros in 2027, placing further pressure on public finances. The government is also expected to borrow a record 340 billion euros next year.
In response to student protest, the education ministry moved to bring in around 3,000 reserve teachers for the schools most in need, at a cost of several tens of millions of euros.
To address the crisis, the government plans to implement savings of about 54 billion euros, alongside measures involving pensions, a freeze on public-sector pay and changes to state-funded sick leave.
As this news spread, citizens joined students and union members in expressing their frustration with the government's policies.
Looting Targets Luxury Stores and Supermarkets
Amid the escalating violence, rioters targeted luxury retailers and supermarkets across several French cities during the weekend demonstrations.
According to French newspaper Le Parisien, large groups of masked individuals smashed shop windows and looted goods in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille.
An Apple Store and Louis Vuitton shops were targeted in Bordeaux, while another Apple outlet was looted in Lille. According to French news outlet Maritima, a Hermes boutique was damaged by crowds in Marseille.
French President emmanuel Macron criticised security "failures" that he said had contributed to the unrest, while rejecting the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, France 24 reported.
Meanwhile, demonstrations continued on Monday, with university students in Paris blocking access to the Louvre Museum. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also announced that he had asked regional authorities to enforce partial evening curfews.
With Macron's 10-year tenure as president set to end in May, candidates seeking to succeed him have attempted to capitalise on the growing public discontent.
The unrest has placed additional pressure on the government to restore order while addressing the economic and social grievances driving the demonstrations.