McDonald's Ransacked in Paris Looting Night as Cafe Burned and Supermarkets Emptied
After protests over the cost of living in France's capital Paris turned violent, food outlets, cafes and supermarkets have been hit by looting and vandalism. One of the most talked-about incidents took place at a McDonald's restaurant, where looters even tried to cook french fries.
The McDonald's on Boulevard de Magenta near Gare de l'Est was found ransacked and heavily damaged. Its windows were smashed and extensive destruction was caused inside, according to reports.
The scene inside was stranger still. Computer screens were damaged, while an ice cream machine kept spilling vanilla onto a ketchup-covered floor. Amid such chaos, intruders attempted to cook french fries.
According to a security guard, a man and his dog eventually drove about 20 people from the restaurant. McDonald's was asked for comment about the vandalism, but its response was not known in this reporting.
McDonald's was not the only business hit, however. A neighbourhood cafe called La Barrique near Place de la Republique was burned out. The son of the cafe's owners said his mother was inside when the business was attacked and was later taken to hospital with a head injury.
In the same area, a Nicolas wine shop on Boulevard de Magenta was also destroyed. Shattered bottles and wine covered the area outside the shop. From wine shops to cafes, all kinds of food and drink businesses fell victim to that night's violence.
Supermarkets were not spared either. Franprix, Monoprix, Picard and Carrefour City locations were among the grocery retailers targeted, according to the French news agency AFP. At a Franprix on Rue Beaurepaire near Place de la Republique, shelves were emptied and products were stolen or crushed on the floor.
An Intermarche Express on Boulevard de Magenta was also looted. A crew from Euronews said they were assaulted by masked individuals while reporting near the supermarket. Elsewhere, looters were seen leaving supermarkets carrying bags filled with food, juice and alcohol.
This destruction was part of widespread violence that followed Saturday's demonstrations over the rising cost of living and other grievances, which later turned into riots. Curfews have been issued in two places in the city to bring the situation under control, according to reports.
French-born restaurateur Olivia Ostrow, who now operates Maison Ostrow in South Florida, said the unrest reflects tensions extending far beyond the French capital. She expressed concern about rising antisemitism and the role of social media in fuelling hostility.
Many people on social media also shared their dismay. One person wrote that the ones suffering the consequences are ordinary French people, not the government — those whose cars were burned, whose businesses and homes were looted and whose physical safety was threatened will pay the price. Another person's comment was brief: these are not protests anymore.
Meanwhile, several European governments are now advising travellers to France to avoid large crowds and exercise caution during their stay, according to reports. For shop owners and residents, the question now is when this wave of violence will stop and when the damaged businesses can return to normal.
