In pictures: Bordeaux town hall set alight as protests in France erupt into violence

Dramatic pictures show violence erupting in parts of France during nationwide protests against pension reforms being pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron.

Ellen Manning
Updated ·3-min read

Violence erupted in the French city of Bordeaux on Thursday as police clashed with crowds protesting against President Emmanuel Macron’s retirement age reforms.

Bordeaux town hall was set ablaze as part of protests that saw more than a million people take to the streets nationwide.

Video footage shared on social media shows flames engulfing the front doors of the building as people in the square below cheer.

The violence led to a planned state visit to France by King Charles III to be postponed.

A protester in front of a fire during a demonstration on a national action day, a week after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote, using the article 49.3 of the constitution, in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on March 23, 2023. French President defiantly vowed to push through a controversial pensions reform on March 22, 2023, saying he was prepared to accept unpopularity in the face of sometimes violent protests. (Photo by Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Violence broke out in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on Thursday during nationwide protests. (Getty)

Protesters are demonstrating against plans by President Macron to push through a bill raising the retirement age by two years to 64.

Thursday was the ninth day of nationwide protests, but violence erupted in some areas, including Bordeaux and Paris.

Read more: Lucy Letby: Nurse murdered baby by injecting 'dollops' of air, court told

In the capital, police fired tear gas in clashes with masked groups of protesters as violence spread to several fast-food restaurants, a supermarket and a bank.

In Bordeaux, dramatic pictures showed the town hall engulfed in flames after it was set on fire.

French CRS riot police run amid clashes with protesters during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government's pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
In Paris, riot police clashes with protestors as violence erupted. (Reuters)
The protests led to a state visit by King Charles III being postponed. (Getty)
The protests led to a state visit by King Charles III being postponed. (Getty)
Demonstration against pension reform took place in Bordeaux on Thursday, March 23, 2022. There were several clashes between the demonstrators and the police, and at the end of the demonstration, trash fires were set (Photo by Fabien Pallueau/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There were several clashes between demonstrators and police in Bordeaux, with litter bins set alight. (Getty)

The government said 80 people were arrested across the country, with dozens of police officers injured.

In Paris, officers were reportedly pelted by fireworks and other objects, with one having to be dragged to safety whilst unconscious.

Protesters set objects on fire in front of the Opera Garnier amid clashes during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government's pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Protesters set objects on fire in front of the Opera Garnier, Paris, amid clashes during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests. (Reuters)
Anti-riot police during the demonstration against pension reform took place in Bordeaux on Thursday, March 23, 2022. There were several clashes between the demonstrators and the police, and at the end of the demonstration, trash fires were set (Photo by Fabien Pallueau/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Fires were started in Bordeaux as part of clashes in the city. (Getty)
Demonstration against pension reform took place in Bordeaux on Thursday, March 23, 2022. There were several clashes between the demonstrators and the police, and at the end of the demonstration, trash fires were set (Photo by Fabien Pallueau/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Protestors are demonstrating against plans by Macron to push through pension reforms. (Getty)

The violence saw a state visit by King Charles III and the Queen Consort to France, set to include Bordeaux, postponed.

French authorities had sought to issue reassurance over the safety of the visit, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin reportedly saying on Thursday night that security "poses no problem" and the King will be "welcomed and welcomed well".

But on Friday it was announced that the visit has been postponed.

The French and British governments took the decision following a phone call between President Emmanuel Macron and the King, according to the French presidency.

Anti-riot police officer passing by a fire in a demonstration on a national action day, a week after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote, using the article 49.3 of the constitution, in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on March 23, 2023. French President defiantly vowed to push through a controversial pensions reform on March 22, 2023, saying he was prepared to accept unpopularity in the face of sometimes violent protests. (Photo by Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The French President has vowed to push through his controversial pensions reform, saying he is prepared to accept unpopularity. (Getty)

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The King and the Queen Consort's state visit to France has been postponed.

"Their majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found."

The couple's visit to Germany next week will proceed as planned.

French labour union CGT union announced earlier this week that its members working at the institution that provides flags, red carpets and furniture for public buildings would not help prepare a reception for the king, who is due to arrive in Paris on Sunday.

Overview of the protesters during a demonstration on a national action day, a week after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote, using the article 49.3 of the constitution, in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on March 23, 2023. French President defiantly vowed to push through a controversial pensions reform on March 22, 2023, saying he was prepared to accept unpopularity in the face of sometimes violent protests. (Photo by Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Over a million people are estimated to have joined in nationwide protests. (Getty)
TOPSHOT - Riot police officers stand in front of a fire set by protesters during a demonstration, a week after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote, using the article 49.3 of the constitution, in Bordeaux, western France, on March 23, 2023. - French President defiantly vowed to push through a controversial pensions reform on March 22, 2023, saying he was prepared to accept unpopularity in the face of sometimes violent protests. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Police were reportedly injured in clashes as they were pelted with fireworks and other objects. (Getty)
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories