After “Black Saturday“: France's Arc de Triomphe in ruins
The famous statue of Marianne at the Arc de Triomphe was shattered during 'Black Saturday' protests in France.
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| On December 1, the largest protest in Paris in a decade broke out, starting at the Arc de Triomphe. Protesters from the “yellow vest” movement protesting rising gas prices clashed with police, injuring at least 110 people, AP reported. Authorities also arrested more than 410 people. Photo: Inquisitr. |
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| The group smashed houses, looted belongings, and caused chaos in Paris, forcing police to close many famous tourist attractions. The Arc de Triomphe was one of the most damaged places. Photo:BBC. |
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| The "yellow vest" group defaced the walls of this historic building, demanding the French president's resignation. Photo:Puplimetro. |
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| They smashed the statue of Marianne - a symbol of freedom, equality and friendship of France. Photo: BBC. |
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| Many people have called the time of this protest "Black Saturday". Photo: Time. |
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| What started as a protest against rising fuel taxes has grown into a nationwide protest against rising living costs. The French Interior Ministry estimates that at least 75,000 protesters took to the streets over the weekend. Protests also took place elsewhere in France, but were more peaceful. Photo: Puplimetro. |
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| The entire city of Paris is engulfed in smoke and fire. However, French authorities have not declared a state of emergency because they believe there are many ways to quell the riots. Photo: Reuters. |
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| The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous historical structures in France. Located in the middle of the Place de la Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe is the end point of the Champs-Elysees. It is also a popular tourist attraction in the city. Photo: Grandearche. |
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| This structure was built by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the army of the First French Empire and was completed in 1836. Every year, it welcomes more than a million visitors and is one of the 10 most popular structures in Paris. Photo: Facade-lighting. |
| Protests in France. Video:Guardian |
