France on Saturday endured one of its most violent nights of unrest in recent years after largely peaceful anti-government protests descended into rioting, leaving government buildings torched, one police officer and one protester dead.
As night fell groups of young people across the country looted shops and started fires as protests wound down, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges.
The destruction followed what had been largely peaceful protests, which have grown out of sweeping student-led rallies that gripped parts of France last month, sparking a broader movement against crumbling schools, the spiking cost of living, and perceived government inaction.
Hundreds of people have been detained by authorities.
