The calm couple as protests continue (Reuters)
Read more: https://t.co/3iM5c2FTRW https://t.co/PX77tz0SqQ— ABC News (@ABC) October 19, 2026 The images stand in sharp contrast to the violence that has gripped several French cities, with protesters and rioters setting fires, looting businesses and attacking public buildings. As France reels from violent protests, visuals of seemingly unfazed residents going about their daily routines have also drawn attention on social media, offering a striking contrast to the scenes of rioting, arson and looting across the country. One visual shows a couple calmly sipping their drinks at an outdoor table near the Arc De Triomphe in central Paris, seemingly undisturbed by the unrest around them. Another video, shared by ABC News, shows a jogger continuing her run directly through the crowd of rioters. In Paris, rubbish bins and other objects were set ablaze, while in Limoges, flames engulfed the 19th-century city hall, causing its roof to collapse.
A determined jogger was seemingly unfazed by the ongoing rioting in Paris as she opted to run directly through the chaos on Saturday.
More than 2,400 people were arrested nationwide over the weekend, according to reports. The unrest has prompted the government to tighten security measures. President Emmanuel Macron has also ordered a review of security failures and rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who acknowledged shortcomings in anticipating the unrest. The protests, driven by anger over the cost of living and deteriorating public services, have spread across several cities, with authorities facing mounting pressure to restore order and prevent further damage. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday asked local authorities to consider limited, localised curfews to prevent further violence.