Fact-check: Did protesters set fire to the Eiffel Tower in Paris amid French riots?

It was meant to be a night of celebrations and joy. However, Saturday (May 30) turned into a nightmare when the parade to celebrate the victory of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Arsenal in the finals of the UEFA Champions League was blighted by violent clashes between youths and police.

More than 900 people have been arrested so far in the riots, with French President Emmanuel Macron denouncing the “unspeakable” violence, noting: “This is not football, this is not sport, this is not what we love.”

Numerous videos of the mayhem were uploaded on social media — visuals of cars being burnt and shops being looted. Soon, images and videos captioned, ‘Paris is burning’ appeared, showing a huge blaze at the French city’s iconic Eiffel Tower.

But are these visuals true? Did protesters set fire to the tallest structure in Paris? Here’s a deep dive.

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A fire at the Eiffel Tower?

>> When the final whistle blew in the football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal after a dramatic penalty shootout, fans of the French football club marched along the avenues near Paris’ Arc de Triomphe monument, with some setting off flares and blaring car horns.

>> However, the joyous celebrations were overshadowed by street violence, leaving one person dead and more than 200 injured, the French interior ministry said.

>> Cars were set ablaze, bus shelters and shop windows were smashed, and thick smoke rose in the area. Groups of people clashed with police, while fireworks and stones were hurled in the streets. The atmosphere in parts of Paris resembled a riot scene rather than a football celebration.

>> Soon, social media was flooded with these visuals, with one particular post going viral after it showed the 19th-century Eiffel Tower on fire. The user wrote on X, “Paris is burning. The fire reaches the Eiffel Tower. The fall of the West.”

>> When probed further, it was found that the video was first posted by an X user who goes by the name Luc Auffret. On his X post, he posted a visual of the Eiffel Tower burning with the caption, “The Eiffel Tower is shrouded in a cloud of smoke following a fire outbreak on the Seine riverbanks.”

> However, the video appears to be misleading. Authorities haven’t confirmed any damage to the towering structure.

French officers detain a PSG supporter during celebrations following their team's win in the Uefa Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal FC played in Budapest, on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris. AFP

Paris descends into mayhem

>> Nearly 900 people have been arrested until Monday in the riots that broke out over the weekend after PSG won the coveted Champions League trophy for a second time in a row.

> The mania turned into mayhem when fans swarmed the Champs-Élysées shortly after the local team won in a penalty shootout. Footage shows flares being set off, electric bikes burning on roads and revellers smashing the glass of at least one shopfront. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in the city centre.

PSG supporters let off fireworks as they celebrate in Paris, after the Champions League final match. AP

> France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez later told the media that violent incidents took place in about 15 cities across the country. The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalising shops and setting fires to garbage and self-service bicycles in the streets. Cars were also set ablaze. Some who attempted to storm a police station in the posh 8th Arrondissement neighbourhood were dispersed, police said.

A car burns as PSG supporters celebrate in Paris. AP

>> A day after the violence, the PSG team was welcomed by President Macron at the Élysée Palace. At the ceremony to fete the players, Macron said: “I don't want that we get used to it. This is not soccer, this is not sport, this is not what we love. We will be uncompromising with those who have been caught. We do not want to see this happen again. It’s over. We’ve had enough. This must end.”

>> He was not only referencing this violence but also last year’s following the triumph of PSG. Following PSG’s first Champions League title win in May 2025, 201 people were injured in the French capital, and police made more than 500 arrests across France.

With inputs from agencies