French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday voiced the public's "anger" and "shame" over rioting and looting during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. At least 1,800 people have been arrested.
"Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," Macron said in a televised address to the nation.
He blamed "unrestrained violence" on "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals."
Macron has earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities. He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary.
Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges, central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building.