STORY: Protesters looted shops in Lille and Paris on Saturday (October 17), smashing windows and carrying away clothing, food and other goods as demonstrations across France descended into violence.

In Lille, protesters were seen entering damaged shops, while a bank was vandalised and fires burned near the city’s train station.

In Paris, protesters broke into a mobile phone and internet store and a food shop, as fires burned in the streets and police deployed tear gas.

The unrest came as marches took place in several French cities, with authorities reporting 272 arrests nationwide by 3 p.m. (1300GMT) as police sought to prevent looting and protect public buildings.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: LILLE, FRANCE (OCTOBER 17, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF LOOTERS RUNNING OUT OF STORE WITH STOLEN ITEMS

2. TEAR GAS BILLOWING

3. SHATTERED GLASS AND STORE FRONT

4. DAMAGE INSIDE BUILDING

5. VARIOUS OF BICYCLES ON FIRE

6. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS LOOTING CARREFOUR SUPERMARKET

7. RIOT POLICE

8. VARIOUS OF DAMAGE INSIDE SUPERMARKET

PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 17, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

9. PROTESTERS BREAKING INTO MOBILE PHONE AND INTERNET STORE

10. CROWD GATHERED AT SQUARE / AUDIO OF LOUD BANG

11. CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE STORE, PROTESTERS THROWING ITEMS FROM INSIDE INTO CROWD

12. SUPERMARKET STORE WITH BROKEN ENTRANCE, PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT

13. RIOT POLICE / TEAR GAS CANNISTERS

14. FIRE BURNING ON STREET

15. POLICE THROWING TEAR GAS