World · Europe · 14 hrs ago
Fire ravages Limoges city hall after protest against rising living costs
A fire deliberately set at Limoges city hall followed a protest against rising living costs on 17 October.
The protest in the French city drew 5,500 people, and a group attacked the building’s east wing afterward.
The blaze destroyed the roof of the historic building in about three hours.
Residents gathered outside the blackened city hall the next morning, expressing shock and anger.
About 7,000 people joined a vigil in the city on Sunday evening to condemn the violence.
Mayor Guillaume Guérin blamed what he called the “ultra-left,” while the investigation is still under way.
The investigation has not yet established responsibility, so the cause and those involved remain to be determined.
A deliberate fire ravaged the east wing of Limoges city hall on 17 October after a protest against rising living costs.
The protest drew 5,500 people in Limoges, and the fire engulfed the roof of the historic building within three hours.
The city hall was inaugurated in 1883.
Nearly 7,000 people gathered in Limoges on Sunday evening to condemn the violence, according to the city.
Mayor Guillaume Guérin blamed the “ultra-left”; the investigation is ongoing.
- Who
- A group of individuals attacked the city hall after the protest. Mayor Guillaume Guérin blamed the “ultra-left.
- What
- A deliberate fire ravaged the east wing and engulfed the roof of Limoges city hall.
- When
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, after the protest.
- Where
- Limoges, France.
- Why
- The attack followed a protest against rising living costs. The motive for the fire is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A protest against rising living costs drew 5,500 people in Limoges.
After the protest, a group attacked the east wing of city hall and started a deliberate fire.
The fire had completely engulfed the roof of the city hall.
Nearly 7,000 people gathered in Limoges to condemn the violence, according to the city.
- Protest attendance
- 5,500 people
- Fire location
- East wing of Limoges city hall
- Building inaugurated
- 1883
- Roof engulfed
- Within three hours
- Sunday gathering
- Nearly 7,000 people, according to the city
3 sources
Mairie de Limoges incendiée: "Il y a eu des défaillances d'État" ce samedi 17 octobre, déclare le maire (LR) de la ville Guillaume Guérin
A Limoges, la « colère » » et la « sidération » après l’incendie qui a ravagé l’hôtel de ville
"On est marqués au fer" : les pompiers sous le choc après leur intervention à la mairie de Limoges
What people are saying
I was horrified, but despite the violence of what I was seeing, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.
We usually see these images on BFM-TV in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, but not here.
There were failures by the state.