World · Europe · 16 hrs ago
Teenagers’ break-ins and destruction damage schools across France
In June 2024, two 13-year-old former pupils broke into Marcel Pagnol school near Lyon, in eastern France.
They damaged computers and furniture, set small fires and filmed their actions.
The fire filled the building with smoke, and the boys fled as police arrived.
The incident is part of a wider pattern of serious damage to schools across France.
There were at least 15 such cases in 2025 and a similar number in 2024.
Many attacks have targeted primary schools, sometimes by former pupils who are still children themselves.
The damage matters because schools are meant to support students’ futures, while recent attacks have raised concerns about resentment toward these institutions.
Former pupils broke into Marcel Pagnol school near Lyon on 19 June 2024, smashing equipment, setting small fires and filming the destruction.
The incident was one of at least 15 comprehensive school trashings reported in France in 2025, with a similar number in 2024.
The article says attacks often involve children of early secondary-school age returning to primary schools they once attended.
At least 24 high schools were damaged during student protests this month, with grievances including poor facilities and staff shortages.
- Who
- Teenagers, often former pupils, have been involved in the break-ins and destruction.
- What
- Schools across France have been broken into and damaged, with incidents including smashed equipment, fires and graffiti.
- When
- The article describes incidents in 2024 and 2025, as well as damage during student protests this month.
- Where
- Schools across France, including Marcel Pagnol school in the eastern suburbs of Lyon.
- Why
- The article points to rising tension and resentment among some students; protest-related damage was linked to grievances including poor facilities and staff shortages.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I love what’s happening here!
I love fire.
Two 13-year-old former pupils broke into Marcel Pagnol school near Lyon, damaged equipment and started small fires.
At least a similar number of comprehensive school trashings occurred as in 2025, with four break-ins at Rabelais secondary school in six months.
France saw at least 15 cases of comprehensive school trashings.
At least 24 high schools were damaged during student protests.
- Marcel Pagnol school
- Eastern suburbs of Lyon
- Marcel Pagnol break-in
- 19 June 2024
- Age of intruders
- 13
- School trashings in 2025
- At least 15 cases
- High schools damaged during this month’s protests
- At least 24







