In pictures: More than 500,000 took to the streets as France protests erupted into violence
Over 500,000 people took part in protests in France over the weekend, which became marred by violence, amid demonstrations against rising living costs.
Protests in France against rising living costs and declining public services turned violent over the weekend, with more than 500,000 people taking to the streets.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched through various cities and protested peacefully but others set fire to the city hall in Limoges, gutting the 19th-century building.
Lyon's city tourist office was also set ablaze, supermarkets were looted and there were attacks on police officers and vehicles and luxury boutiques, in what was described as the country's worst unrest in years.
Officers used tear gas to restrain the crowds. One protester died of a heart attack, and another lost a hand.
"Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address to the nation on Sunday.
He blamed "unrestrained violence" on "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals."
The demonstrations began last month as high school students across Paris lamented poor school conditions, including teacher shortages and unsatisfactory facilities. The demonstrations evolved into a nationwide protest.
