Despite his condemnation of the violence, Macron insisted that the government must acknowledge the concerns driving the demonstrations. French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed strict action against those involved in rioting and looting across the country, declaring that anyone who sought to undermine the Republic would be held accountable.

His remarks came after nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services descended into some of France's worst unrest in recent years, leaving two people dead and hundreds injured. Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Macron said the violence had left the country feeling both “anger and shame”, as authorities reported around 2,400 arrests following clashes between protesters and police.

Masked groups set fire to buildings, attacked public infrastructure and looted businesses in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges. More than 600 police officers were reportedly injured, while a police officer and a protester died in separate incidents linked to the unrest.

The president blamed what he described as radical far-left groups and criminal elements for the destruction, while stressing that the legitimate grievances of peaceful demonstrators should not be confused with acts of violence. The protests, which drew an estimated 550,000 people according to authorities, were organised amid growing anger over fuel prices, living costs and deteriorating public services, including schools.'

Those who destroyed must pay': Macron warns rioters“Those who destroyed must pay,” Macron said in his televised address. “Those who looted must pay back.

Those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.” “Watching these images, we were all wondering: what had got into them?

How can French people do that to France?” Macron also called for calm and order as disturbances continued on a smaller scale on Sunday.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at groups gathered at Paris' Place de la République, where protesters had assembled following calls on social media to continue the movement. Clashes and attempts to set fire to bicycles and rubbish bins were also reported.

The destruction was particularly severe in Limoges, where flames engulfed the 19th-century town hall on Saturday, causing its roof and clock tower to collapse. In Marseille, masked protesters forced their way into the city hall's lobby, while a fire broke out at a tourist office in Lyon.