// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Burnt out cars and shattered glass on Paris streets after protests turn to riots and looting
A vandalised shopfront in Paris in the aftermath of protests
France awoke to scenes of widespread damage on Sunday after a day of riots and demonstrations, with shopfronts shattered, burnt out cars, charred bikes, and piles of glass and debris on the pavements of Paris.
Police arrested about 1,800 people on Saturday as some 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets for protests that were largely peaceful.
They were demonstrating against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services, including schools.
Groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks and balaclavas, also came out in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities, with some setting fire to cars and buildings.
Widespread looting took place across the cities of Paris, Marseille and Lille, as well as other areas.
In Paris, protesters clashed with riot police, who turned tear gas and water cannon on the crowds. During the day, some groups lit fires in the street and torched vehicles. At least one restaurant was gutted by fire, and the BBC saw fighting breaking out among some of the groups.
Riot police were seen charging at one crowd in central Paris and hitting several people with batons.
"It's like we had a war," Paris resident Mehmet Ozeden told news agency AFP.
Another resident, Anita GrasIt, said it was "terrifying" to see groups of young people "smashing everything, with total impunity".