Macron and Brigitte Seen at Celine Dion Concert Just Before Nationwide Protests, Reports Say

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte attended Celine Dion’s Paris concert on Friday, hours before massive protests and riots swept the country, Paris Match reports.

Macron Couple Spotted At Dion Show Before Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte went to a concert by Canadian singer Celine Dion on Friday. This happened just one day before huge nationwide protests broke out across France, according to Paris Match magazine.

On Saturday, large scale protests erupted across France over rising living costs and higher prices. The demonstrations turned violent, with protesters clashing fiercely with police. Riots, looting, and vandalism broke out in several cities. Radical groups of young people smashed shop windows and torched bus stops and cars. Police used tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons to push back the rioters.

Also Read | Paris Protests: Police Detain More Than 850 People Amid Street Clashes

Magazine Says Couple Attended Star’s Second Last Show

Paris Match described the timing bluntly. “””While France grappled with major high school protests and worried about the October 17 rallies, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron turned up at Celine Dion’s concert on Friday, October 16, the Quebec star’s second to last show”””, the outlet wrote.

Videos shared widely on social media show France’s first lady singing along to the music. She can be seen dancing, clapping her hands, and chatting with her husband seated beside her.

Also Read | Rioters Attack Police Station in Central Paris, Says City Mayor

Over A Thousand Arrests Reported Nationwide

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said earlier that security forces detained around 1,200 people during the nationwide unrest. He added that 150 police officers were injured in clashes with demonstrators. In total, roughly 550,000 people took part in the protests across France, with about 110,000 marching in Paris alone.

Also Read | JD Vance Blames Western Liberals For France’s Ongoing Riots