A Night of Celebration and Chaos
The streets of Paris erupted in turmoil shortly after the final whistle confirmed Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory over Arsenal in Budapest. Fans poured onto the avenues near the Arc de Triomphe, and within hours the festivity devolved into vandalism, with shop windows smashed and fires set along the Champs‑Élysées.
Police reported that roughly 20,000 supporters gathered on the famous boulevard, while smaller, more aggressive groups attempted to breach a police station in the 8th Arrondissement. In total, more than 400 individuals were taken into custody across the country, and seven officers sustained injuries while trying to restore order.
The disturbances were not confined to the capital; riots erupted in about fifteen French cities, prompting authorities to deploy additional units to contain the crowds. Officials noted that the scale of the unrest resembled the disturbances that followed PSG's first domestic title the previous year, when over 200 people were injured and more than 500 arrests were made nationwide.
Despite the chaos, the planned celebrations for the Champions League win were scheduled to continue as originally intended. The club's triumph was secured by a dramatic penalty shoot‑out in Budapest, a victory that sparked nationwide pride and, paradoxically, an outpouring of unrestrained fan energy.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, condemning the violence while emphasizing the need for accountability and a swift return to public safety. Their statements underscored a broader commitment to protecting both the right to celebrate and the integrity of France's urban spaces.