A historic building in Limoges, a French town about three hours south of Paris, has been “largely destroyed” after rioters set it ablaze amid ongoing demonstrations across France.
Built in 1883, Limoges Town Hall was designated a historic landmark in 1975.
“The roof has collapsed onto lower floors, except the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared,” the local prefect, Maurice Barate, told the AFP news agency.
Barate described the incident as “a deliberate act by hooligans” and a “catastrophe for heritage”.
The destruction occurred as anti-government protests led by far-left groups and violent clashes entered their fourth week in France, fuelled by concerns over the rising cost of living.
President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday wrote on social media, “There is no place for violence in our republic.”
“Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished,” he added translated from French. “To the law enforcement forces, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so.”
Macron is due to leave office in six months.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 400 people were arrested on Saturday, as more than 500,000 people participated in over 100 marches across France.
