France in flames: 143-year-old Limoges City Hall destroyed as cost-of-living protests turn violent

The historic Limoges town hall, inaugurated in 1883, was largely destroyed by a fire set on Saturday night during nationwide protests over the cost of living. About 2,000 people demonstrated in Limoges, and a group broke into the building, set a police car alight and started the fire inside; prefect Maurice Barate called the damage a “catastrophe for heritage.” Public buildings were also attacked or set on fire in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille. The movement, which began with students’ complaints about education, broadened to demands for higher wages and pensions, lower prices and more funding for public services.