Historic Limoges town hall engulfed in flames amid protests in France

Updated: 17/10/2026 - 23:01 GMT+2

A fire engulfed the historic town hall in Limoges, central France, after a group set the 143-year-old building alight amid unrest following nationwide cost-of-living protests.

Local prefect Maurice Barate said the roof had collapsed onto the lower floors, except for the west wing, and that around two-thirds of the building’s exterior had already disappeared.

The blaze followed demonstrations that escalated into violence in several French cities on Saturday. The extent of the damage to the town hall was still being assessed.