'Like we had a war': France counts cost of violent protests

is being described as like a war zone. Cars are burnt out, shop windows smashed, and residents are trying to comprehend what the protests evolved into. I have never seen anything like this. Never. I wouldn't use the word revolution, but something I think they wanted to put the country into a real chaos and to destroy everything. everything. Across Paris, a widespread cleanup is underway. The famous department store Galerie Lafayette has been looted and the opera damaged. Authorities say 855 people were arrested in the French capital and more than 1,800 nationwide. In Limoges, the roof and bell tower of the 143-year-old city hall has collapsed after it was set on fire on Saturday night. While in Lyon, a tourist office sits completely gutted, and business owners have had to board up windows. According to trade groups, some 1,500 shops have been damaged across France. Total losses are estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros. In Marseille, streets are strewn with trash, and the city's mayor is demanding answers. Hordes of rioters and looters attacked what is most precious to us, our public property. They attacked the city hall, they attacked a police station, they attacked law enforcement. I am, of course, demanding that the truth be brought to light. The mayors of Marseille, Lyon and Paris have all condemned the violence and criticised the government for mishandling the police response. They've called for a meeting with the Prime Minister to figure out what went wrong.