On October 17, 2026, an ongoing protest in France and Italy against income inequality, the high cost of living, and cuts to public services pivoted from a peaceful mobilization of high school and college students to a series of violent demonstrations during which hundreds were injured and many more were arrested. Vandalism and looting swept European cities, including Paris, Milan, Turin, Bologna, and Limoges—where the city hall was burned to the ground.
“Those who destroyed property must pay, those who looted must reimburse, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” French president Emmanuel Macron said in a national address Sunday evening.
“Watching these images, we all asked ourselves: What are they thinking? How can French people do this to France? Why burn down the Limoges city hall, the tourist office in Lyon, storm the Marseille city hall, or attack the prefect’s residence in Bordeaux? How could they have gone this far? Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it. Nothing excuses it.”
Odieux Boby, a photojournalist whose work includes coverage of news events, protests, and Cannes Film Festival chronicle Croisette 3000, was heading to work when he found himself swept up in procession in Paris. Armed with his Leica, Boby captured the images you see here, which he shared exclusively with Vanity Fair.