A ring of steel was placed around French president Emmanuel Macron's family macaron shop to protect it from rioters and looters as other businesses burned, it emerged today.
Astonishing video shot on the worst day of the current anti-government insurrection shows the confectionery outlet in his home town of Amiens, northern France, surrounded by at least two platoons of CRS police.
The elite Republican Security Companies placed their vans in front of the 'Jean Trogneux' confectionery store while leaving others unguarded.
It was founded in 1872 by Jean-Baptiste Trogneux, the great-grandfather of Brigitte Macron, Mr Macron's 73-year-old wife. Trogneux is her maiden name.
The chocolatiers dynasty is renowned for its macarons, and profits from the sweet treats go to all family with shares in the business.
Ordinary police officers were among those who were furious that they had to protect the shop while others were left unguarded.
At least 2,000 shops and businesses were targeted during a weekend of rebellion across France, with windows smashed, security grilles torn down, and millions of pounds' worth of stock taken.
A statement posted online by the Alliance Police Union – known in France as the Alliance Police Nationale – on Wednesday reads: 'Mr. Macron, the Republic is not your private property.'
Elite police placed their vans in front of the 'Jean Trogneux' confectionery store
The couple were criticised for putting significant police resources in front of Brigitte Macron's family shop
A fire burns during civil unrest in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026
Demanding an explanation, the message continued: 'Remind us, Mr. President – do all French people have a right to the same level of protection?'
Le Canard Enchaîné [The Chained Duck] – the highly respected French investigative outlet – reports that the CRS unit was 'specifically dispatched to stand guard in front of the shop'.
It is now run by Brigitte Macron's great-nephew, Jean-Baptiste Trogneux – he shares his name with the shop's founder.
He lives above the shop, and was badly beaten up by pension reform rioters as he tried to protect it in May 2023.
Three men were brought to justice, and two of them were imprisoned for violent disorder.
As the scandal over 'Jean Trogneux' receiving preferential treatment continued, the Prefecture of the Somme department – which has Amiens as the capital – rushed to support the Macrons.
Despite the videos, the statement released on Wednesday reads: 'The Prefecture of the Somme denies the allegation that CRS personnel were assigned to protect the Trogneux shop.'
It adds: 'Several hundred hostile individuals spent nearly three hours attempting to breach the barricades set up to protect the city centre's shopping streets.
'Consequently, a company of CRS was urgently deployed to Amiens to bolster local forces that evening to ensure the security of all businesses in the city centre.'
This photograph taken on April 25, 2017, shows a general view of the Jean Trogneux chocolate shop in Amiens, northern France, which is owned by the family of Brigitte Macron
The store is now run by Brigitte Macron's great-nephew, Jean-Baptiste Trogneux
A man throws a plastic traffic cone through a burning barricade amid clashes during a day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in Paris on October 17, 2026
When the worst of the trouble started on Friday night, the Macrons were blasted for attending a Céline Dion concert.
The 48-year-old head of state and first lady were filmed dancing at the pop superstar's concert in the Paris suburbs.
In what many described as a 'Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette moment' – in reference to the French King and Queen at the time of 1789 Revolution – they were in a private box at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre.
A few hours later, thousands took to the streets, and started battles with heavily armed riot police, including the CRS, while igniting fires.
Marie Antoinette is famously meant to have said 'Let them eat cake' when she was informed about the chronic bread shortages that helped trigger the 1789 uprising by French citizens, many of whom were starving – although there is no evidence she actually said this.
The latest civic insurrection follows weeks of protests by school and university students against France's crumbling education system.
They have now been joined by numerous other social groups, including the infamous Yellow Vests – or Gilets Jaunes – who have another mass protest planned for this Saturday.