I just saw some videos on bird site of fires in Paris. Having lived in the city for several years with a flat and a workplace in close proximity to much of the action:

1. It looks worse than it is.
2. The cops by far are the most dangerous element involved.
3. Parisians typically react with mild annoyance to the associated transit delays. Nobody cares about that burning car over there.
4. The worst damage I ever saw was a result of the world cup celebration, not a protest.