FRENCH PATRIOTS TAKE TO LYON STREETS TO STOP LOOTING AFTER WEEKEND RIOTS
French right-wing groups marched through the center of Lyon on Monday night after days of looting and destruction during cost-of-living protests. They chanted that the streets and France belong to them as they moved through the city center.
The unrest began on Saturday when protests against high prices and declining services turned into widespread disorder. More than 150 shops were looted in Lyon, the tourist office was burned, and public property was damaged across the city. Similar scenes played out in other French cities.
On Monday evening, residents and supporters gathered to back shopkeepers and police after the chaos. Groups identified by authorities as belonging to the far right joined the gathering and then continued marching after the main event. They moved through the streets despite a curfew that began at 21:00. Prefects later called the march an attempt to take over the rally and expressed anger over the action.
The groups carried banners opposing further damage and called for order in the city. Videos show the men marching together down city streets at night. Authorities have said they will investigate some of the slogans used during the demonstration.
Sources: Franceinfo, Ouest-France, Euronews, Reuters, Lyon Capitale reporting on events of 17-19 October 2026.