Moment tour guide leads group of holidaymakers on river boat through Paris city burns and sirens blare in the riots

A Paris Seine cruise passed through an area affected by violent protests on Saturday, as tourists saw smoke, a fire beneath a bridge and heard sirens. Footage shared by a passenger drew attention to the tour guide’s calm commentary, while the wider unrest brought clashes, looting and fires across France.

Authorities said up to 1,800 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region, where prosecutors said 557 were held in police custody. Around 550,000 people took part in demonstrations, according to authorities, while organisers estimated 800,000; more than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured. In Limoges, a fire badly damaged the 19th-century town hall, and President Emmanuel Macron was due to meet officials and address the nation.