Quick Answer
French President Emmanuel Macron told the nation on Sunday that rioters who attacked government buildings and businesses will “pay for their crimes,” promising investigations “as fast as possible” and “full transparency” over the police response. The televised address followed France’s worst night of unrest in years, with more than 1,800 arrested and 600 officers injured.
Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening after meeting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and senior ministers, as France reeled from a night of rioting, looting and arson in cities from Paris to Marseille.
- Who: President Emmanuel Macron, addressing France live on television on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- What: Macron said those who attacked government buildings “will pay for their crimes,” pledging investigations “as fast as possible” and “full transparency” over the police response.
- When: Saturday’s unrest saw more than 1,800 arrested — a record 557 in Paris alone — and over 600 police, gendarmes and firefighters injured, per Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
- Why it matters: France’s worst unrest in years comes six months before a presidential election; fresh clashes broke out in Paris again on Sunday.
What Macron said in the national address
According to Al Jazeera’s live coverage, Macron said protesters who “attacked government buildings need to pay for their crimes.” He said “nothing justifies” the violence, vowed to hold accountable those who “sought to bring down the Republic,” and urged France to distinguish the “legitimate demands” of protesters from “those who looted.”
A night of looting and fires across France
Rioters torched the 143-year-old town hall in Limoges, torched cars and barricades on the Champs-Élysées, and looted shops in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg. France’s Retail and Trade Federation said around 1,500 businesses were damaged, with losses in the hundreds of millions of euros. One demonstrator died of cardiac arrest during the Paris march; officials said it was health-related, not linked to the violence.
The Interior Ministry said some 550,000 people joined marches nationwide. On Sunday, fresh tensions erupted at Place de la République in Paris, where police used tear gas and a water cannon after protesters erected barricades, per Le Parisien.
What happens next in France
An interministerial crisis meeting chaired by Lecornu was postponed until Monday morning. The government blames “ultra-left” groups and criminals; Marine Le Pen condemned the destruction while Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Lecornu of “playing with fire.” US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that “France is burning!” High school students are waiting for “concrete measures” from the government, per The Week.
What is happening in France right now?
France is in the middle of its most serious unrest in years. Saturday’s protests began peacefully over rising living costs and declining public services, then descended into violence in dozens of cities. Sunday saw scattered clashes in Paris — and Macron’s address marked the government’s attempt to regain control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Macron say in his address to the nation?
Macron said protesters who “attacked government buildings need to pay for their crimes,” promised investigations “as fast as possible,” and pledged “full transparency” over the police response, saying “nothing justifies” the violence.
What happened at the Limoges town hall?
Masked rioters torched Limoges’ historic 143-year-old town hall on Saturday, destroying two-thirds of the landmark.
Why are people protesting in France?
Rising living costs and declining public services have driven weeks of protests, joined by unions, students, farmers and former Yellow Vests.
Sources: Al Jazeera, The Times, AFP reporting via Dawn and Channel News Asia, Anadolu Agency, Reuters via Fox News, The Week. Facts verified 2026-10-18.
