"We have never seen this, it's catastrophic": in Paris, a new night of violence and exasperated residents

Around the Place de la République and in the Les Halles district, clashes lasted for several hours on Sunday night in Paris. On the ground, residents express their confusion, while young protesters denounce the lack of responses to their demands.

TOPSHOT - Inhabitants use a fire extinguisher on burning trash near Oberkampf metro station at Place de la Republique following an unauthorized demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026, a day after nationwide protests against the "high cost of living."

MATTHIEU RONDEL / AFP

Before, during, and after Emmanuel Macron's speech, intense tensions erupted again in Paris on the evening of Sunday, October 18, following violent protests. Clashes between several hundred people and law enforcement lasted several hours around the Place de la République and the Les Halles district. The CRS 8, specialized in combating urban violence, was deployed.

The République district in Paris again experienced clashes, tear gas, crowd dispersion grenades, and scenes of looting. "We've never seen this, it's catastrophic," lament Christophe and Samuel, who live in the area. "We hope to receive a response from the State so that this stops," one of them says as tear gas is launched again by the police.

Regarding the police response, these Parisians do not understand "why we cannot control a minority." On this point, Emmanuel Macron has called for full transparency on the law enforcement strategy.

"We are still waiting for answers."

The President of the Republic questions the rioters, asking: "What are they thinking?" A question we ask two 18-year-olds from Montreuil. They participated in both gatherings over the weekend. They express dismay at the looting and vandalism. "We don't know what to do," one of them says. "If we don't act, who will speak in the end? In fact, it's not a game, it's just a matter of ego. We can also see the police having fun. We see in the videos that they smile, they laugh while firing a LBD or using grenades. The youth want to respond to that and don't necessarily want to be pacifist."

"For me, it's mostly young people who are lost, who want to be heard by the president," one of the young people continues. "We are still waiting for answers. He talks, but he says the same things every day." During his speech, Emmanuel Macron stated: "We will be uncompromising. Listening and dialogue do not mean weakness or impunity." "When I hear the word uncompromising, it really means that the police will have all the rights to strike high school students, to send whatever they want. There, I will tell you directly, he provokes the youth," responds one of the young people.

When asked about the continuation of the movement, they remain evasive and explain that they will see the trend on social media.

An article written by franceinfo (Radio France), Valentin Dunate (Radio France), initially published on 19 October 2026, 07:57 (CEST)