Historic Limoges Town Hall Damaged by Fire Amid French Protests

The historic town hall in Limoges, France, has been significantly damaged by fire after rioters set it ablaze during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. The 1883 building, designated a historic landmark in 1975, suffered extensive damage, with its roof collapsing onto lower floors and two-thirds of its exterior destroyed.

Maurice Barate, the local prefect, described the incident as "a deliberate act by hooligans" and a "catastrophe for heritage." The destruction occurred as far-left protests, fueled by the rising cost of living, have entered their fourth week across France, often escalating into violent clashes.

On Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, stating on social media that "There is no place for violence in our republic." He pledged that those responsible for damaging prefectures, businesses, and town halls would be prosecuted. Macron expressed support for law enforcement and vowed unity against those he called "sowers of chaos."

Nationwide protests saw approximately 400 arrests on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Over half a million people participated in more than 100 marches across the country. The unrest was not confined to Limoges; masked groups attempted to breach city halls in Lille and Calais, and a police station in Brest, with violence also reported in cities like Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Grenoble.

Nuñez attributed the unrest to "extremely violent, radical far-left groups." While many protests remained peaceful, others devolved into riots. In Paris, police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in the Place de la République, where individuals reportedly threw fireworks and other objects at officers.