France imposes overnight curfews in Paris and northern cities to curb riots

French authorities have imposed overnight curfews in Paris and several northern cities following a weekend of severe rioting, looting, and widespread property destruction linked to nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. The emergency measures mark a significant escalation in the government's response to some of the worst civil unrest the country has seen in years, drawing comparisons to past nationwide flashpoints such as the yellow vest movement and the unrest following the 2023 police shooting of a teenager.

According to reporting by The Guardian, the overnight curfew in Paris applies to specific zones — specifically the Place de la Republique and the streets surrounding Les Halles — running from 11pm until 6am local time. Diss Mercury and Beccles & Bungay Journal report that the Paris order specifically prohibits anyone from entering or remaining in those locations, while also banning public gatherings and demonstrations from 8pm onwards. The restrictions target three categories of individuals: unaccompanied minors, individuals wearing personal protective equipment, and those concealing their faces.

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The unrest erupted after nationwide protests over school conditions and living costs spiralled out of control over the weekend. Groups of hundreds of people targeted public buildings, including city halls and administrative offices, leading to major clashes with police. In Limoges, a 19th-century city hall was nearly destroyed after flames engulfed the building and caused its roof to collapse. Authorities estimate that at least 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted across multiple urban centres, including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Clean-up crews and firefighters spent Monday clearing shattered glass and debris from affected streets.

Ouri Zagoury, the owner of a video game shop near Paris’s Place de la Republique, described watching looters break into his store via surveillance cameras after closing on Saturday afternoon.

"There were so many people coming in and out. And even though I called the police, they said not to intervene, that they would come, but they never did, which is another problem"

Ouri Zagoury, Shop owner, via Diss Mercury and Beccles & Bungay Journal

Location	Curfew Hours / Measures	Target Group / Scope
Paris (Place de la Republique & Les Halles)	11pm to 6am (Monday into Tuesday); Gatherings banned from 8pm	Unaccompanied minors, masked individuals, and those wearing protective equipment
Lille, Douai, Wattignies, Denain	8pm to 6am for two days starting Monday	Children and teenagers under age 18
Nice	9pm start time	Minors
Marseille	Protests and gatherings banned from noon to 8pm Monday	General public / demonstrators

Political fallout from the weekend has been immediate and intense. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez offered his resignation on Sunday, telling France Inter radio, I submitted my resignation because I am responsible for everything that is happening. Mr Nunez acknowledged that authorities had lost control in certain major cities on Saturday and admitted that police tactics must adapt to deal with highly mobile groups. However, French President Emmanuel Macron refused the resignation given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context, according to an official statement from the president's office. Mr Macron instructed the interior minister to ensure full transparency regarding planning and intelligence failures and to introduce new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the overall police handling of the crisis. He stated that despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no-one was killed, and that is a miracle. Mr Lecornu and Mr Nunez both pointed fingers at outside agitators, with the prime minister blaming the ‘ultra-left’ for exploiting the protests, while Mr Nunez referred to hordes of troublemakers and looters and far-left activists.

Opposition figures were quick to condemn the government's handling of the crisis. Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally and an ally of Marine Le Pen, whose polling numbers have for months suggested she is the front runner in next spring's presidential election, criticised the administration sharply.

"The government has failed, the head of state has failed in his essential duty of protecting the French people"

Jordan Bardella, President of the National Rally, via Diss Mercury and Beccles & Bungay Journal

Mr Bardella called on the people of France now, beyond their right to protest, to use their voting power.

As local authorities continue to enforce regional curfews, including restrictions affecting minors in northern cities like Lille, Douai, Wattignies, and Denain, as well as on the French Riviera in Nice, law enforcement agencies remain on high alert. He said details of the curfews would be announced later on Monday after consultations with mayors.