Violence Erupts at Paris’s Fête de la Musique

On the night of 22-23 June, the nationwide Fête de la Musique descended into disorder in Paris and other cities. Overcrowded streets near Notre-Dame sparked fights, vehicle vandalism, at least two stabbings, syringe injections of unknown substances, and reported rapes, including incidents in the 9th arrondissement and the suburbs of Gagny and Nogent-sur-Marne.

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

The free street festival, over 40 years old, draws more than two million participants, many from the UK and Ireland. After “excesses” and “lots of sexual violence” were reported in 2025, organizers introduced cordoned-off safe zones for women and disabled people, though alcohol remained widely consumed despite an official ban.

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

President Emmanuel Macron urged vigilance, while Paris deputy mayor Lamia El Aaraje defended the event’s cultural role. An Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed 243 arrests nationwide (148 in Paris) and said police, 5 000 strong, were ordered to intervene only when “absolutely necessary”. Camera footage is being reviewed to identify knife-wielding suspects.

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

Police recorded 243 arrests, 148 in Paris, two stabbing victims, more than ten women injected with syringes, and several sexual assaults involving victims aged 12 to 15. In Toulouse and nearby Colomiers, a 40-year-old man and a woman were knifed and hospitalized in stable condition.

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

British witness Steve described groups of men in Paris Saint-Germain shirts punching people and creating a risk of crowd crush. An Irish attendee posted on TikTok that “there’s no music, it’s World War Z… it’s like the apocalypse.” A female victim said she was beaten by two women who threw her phone to the ground and kicked her friend.

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

Witnesses noted police were instructed to act only when “absolutely necessary”, a policy critics say may have limited timely intervention. Sources agree on arrests but differ on the precise number of syringe attacks, described as “more than ten” or “more than 10”. The nature of the injected substances and many assailants’ identities remain unconfirmed.

Women Stabbed with Syringes, Drugged and Raped at France's Annual Music Festival

• “It's only sirens and mobs and pandemonium. It's like the apocalypse.” — Irish attendee, TikTok

Female tourists at French music festival report stabbings, rape, being injected with date-rape drugs

• “Macron said: 'We are all going to be very vigilant, and you have to be vigilant yourselves – for yourselves, for your loved ones, for the most vulnerable.” — President Emmanuel Macron

Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'

• “excesses, incidents, lots of sexual violence.” — Lamia El Aaraje, Deputy Mayor of Paris

Female tourists at French music festival report stabbings, rape, being injected with date-rape drugs

• “Streets became dangerously overcrowded, and troublemakers took advantage,” the witness said. “A group of young men, some in Paris Saint-Germain football shirts, began punching people, causing chaos.” — Steve, British witness

Female tourists at French music festival report stabbings, rape, being injected with date-rape drugs