Let them eat cake! Emmanuel Macron’s family macaron shop was guarded by police ring of steel during riots… while other shops were left to burn

French President Emmanuel Macron’s family’s macaron shop in Amiens was surrounded by riot police during anti-government unrest, while many other businesses were reportedly left unguarded and attacked. The deployment has prompted criticism over whether the family business received preferential protection.

The Jean Trogneux shop was founded in 1872 by Brigitte Macron’s father and is now run by her great-nephew, who was assaulted during unrest in 2023. A police union questioned whether all businesses received equal protection, while the Somme prefecture denied officers were assigned specifically to guard the shop, saying riot police were sent to protect the city centre after hundreds tried to breach barricades. The article says at least 2,000 shops and businesses were targeted over the weekend.