Paris was buzzing with excitement after Paris Saint-Germain clinched their first-ever Champions League title with an emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan.
But alongside the joy and celebrations, the city faced a night of chaos and violence that left many shaken.
In the aftermath, Paris’ chief of police, Laurent Nunez, has spoken out to defend the police response, insisting the city had deployed enough officers and that the trouble was caused by a small but destructive minority.
Historic Victory Sparks Massive Celebrations Across the City
PSG’s win at the Allianz Arena was a huge moment for the club and its fans.
Luis Enrique’s team dazzled as Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu, and Desire Doue all scored, securing a memorable victory for the French side.
Naturally, supporters across Paris poured into the streets to celebrate this historic milestone.
Most fans stayed peaceful and enjoyed the moment responsibly, but unfortunately, a smaller group turned the night into a scene of mayhem.
Violence and Destruction Mar the Festivities
Riots erupted in multiple parts of Paris following the victory, with 491 arrests made over the weekend.
Fires were set on streets and cars, businesses were looted, and several people were hurt.
Tragically, two people lost their lives during the disorder.
One especially disturbing video showed two women trapped in their car as a crowd surrounded and attacked them, smashing windows and leaving them terrified.
Police and Riot Control Efforts Amid Clashes on Champs-Élysées
Sunday’s victory parade along the famous Champs-Élysées saw further unrest, forcing riot police to respond with flash ball guns and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Despite this, Chief Nunez insisted that with over 5,400 officers deployed on Saturday, the police presence was more than sufficient.
He emphasized that many damages were prevented and that the arrests made were unprecedented, reflecting a firm and necessary response.
Police Chief Criticizes Rioters for Sabotaging the Celebration
Nunez did not hold back in condemning those responsible for the violence.
He said many of the rioters weren’t even interested in celebrating PSG’s win, but came with the intent to loot, vandalize, and attack law enforcement.
He also stressed that this wasn’t a failure of security but rather a deeper societal issue that all parties need to address collectively.
Barricades, Fireworks, and Police Interventions Across the City
On Sunday, police successfully broke up a group of around 50 people who had set up barricades on the city’s main ring road using barriers and rented bikes.
Riot police on motorbikes confronted the crowd, who attempted to drive them off with fireworks and by throwing e-bikes onto the road. There were several rough encounters as police cleared the streets.
Additionally, a vehicle was set on fire near the stadium, and multiple clashes continued into the evening.
Widespread Chaos Hits Major Paris Landmarks and Shopping Districts
The rioting wasn’t limited to the stadium area. Major intersections like Porte de Saint-Cloud saw cars set ablaze, and fireworks were launched at officers.
Large crowds gathered in public squares such as République, Bastille, and Nation, where violent episodes were captured on social media.
At Bastille, a woman was seriously injured after falling from a monument during the chaos. Firefighters struggled to contain the numerous fires, often asking crowds to clear the way.
Businesses Brace for Looters as Shops Are Barricaded
In anticipation of trouble, many department stores and banks on the Champs-Élysées had installed steel shutters. PSG’s official club shops also took precautions with barricades.
Despite these efforts, a Foot Locker was broken into, and goods including multiple trainers were stolen.
Nearby, a furniture store also suffered from looting.
Eyewitness Account Paints Picture of Mixed Emotions
An 18-year-old eyewitness, Jacques, described the night as a mixture of celebration and violence.
“Many people were just enjoying the historic win for PSG,” he said, “but others were there simply to cause destruction and steal.
It was shameful.” Masked youths roamed the streets, lighting motorbikes and mattresses on fire, creating thick smoke that hung over the city.
Chaos Even Reaches Iconic Paris Locations and Sporting Events
Fighting broke out near the Eiffel Tower, which was illuminated in PSG’s colors, while Roland-Garros saw night matches interrupted by the noise and fireworks from the street.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic shared how players debated whether it was safe to return to their hotels close to the Arc de Triomphe amid the unrest.
“It was quite an adventure,” he admitted, adding that they barely made it back safely past 1am.