Apple Stores looted in French cities

Apple Stores in Lille and Bordeaux were reportedly looted during protests that took place on Saturday, October 17, in several major French cities. The demonstrations involved violent confrontations, and footage from social media showed people entering the stores and taking products, though these images have not been officially verified.

Lille store forced open and looted

In Lille, the Apple Store on rue Faidherbe was forced open and looted during the afternoon. According to AFP, a man was seen leaving the store with a stolen computer, shouting with joy. The mayor of Lille, Arnaud Deslandes, confirmed the looting of the Apple Store as well as other nearby stores.

Bordeaux store targeted alongside others

In Bordeaux, the Apple Store Sainte-Catherine, located on the main commercial street in the city center, was also looted. AFP reported that several other stores were targeted, including Decathlon, Intersport, Nocibé, and Snipes. The Galeries Lafayette also suffered damage, and some luxury stores were looted.

Footage shows events but lacks verification

Videos posted on X provide glimpses of the events in both cities. In Bordeaux, a sequence from the account of Gautier Bonhur shows the looting of the Apple Store. In Lille, the account InfoRoubaix broadcast several videos showing the destruction of the store, followed by the presence of forensic police. However, these videos have not been officially authenticated and should be viewed with caution.

Damage and thefts remain unclear

The number of devices stolen from the two Apple Stores and the total value of the damage are still unknown. While social media videos show people taking products, they do not clearly indicate how many iPhones, iPads, Macs, or other devices were actually stolen. Some posts claim that the Apple Store in Paris Opéra was also looted, but this has not been confirmed.