In brief
In the early hours of Tuesday, French authorities launched overnight curfews in Paris and several regional capitals following a week‑long wave of protests that turned violent. Police reported more than 2,500 arrests and injuries to 1,000 officers, while a wounded protester lost a hand to a crowd‑control grenade. Prime Minister Lecornu announced emergency funds and a punitive law to recover damages, and Interior Minister Nuñez refused to resign amid accusations of failure to anticipate the unrest. The unrest, sparked by student demands for better schools, escalated into widespread looting and arson, shattering local businesses and prompting travel advisories from foreign embassies.
French authorities impose curfews after widespread rioting
French police and the government declared overnight curfews in key urban areas after a series of protests that escalated into riots and looting over the weekend. In central Paris, the curfew will take effect from 23:00 to 06:00 local time in the Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district, with bans on unauthorised gatherings applied across the city centre.
Similar restrictions have been imposed in Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Lille and other towns, with several cities directing police to curb youth gatherings. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted authorities had lost control in some places, his resignation offer being rejected by President Emmanuel Macron.
Over 2,500 people were detained, and police suffered 1,000 injuries. One protester lost a hand to a crowd‑control grenade, according to AFP. The unrest began on a student movement demanding improved school conditions, later joined by trade unions and other protest groups.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would allocate funds for reconstruction, to be reclaimed from those responsible for the violence. He also announced a temporary unemployment benefit for workers whose livelihoods were disrupted by the riots.
In the capital, police were watching CCTV footage, with some 200 investigators analysing footage to identify ringleaders. The crisis prompted the U.S. embassy to issue travel warnings, and similar alerts were issued by China and Germany.
More than 2,000 shops were affected, with damage costs rising to several hundred million euros. Vinted has removed stolen items from its platform after government officials requested action to halt online sales of looted goods. The escalation has drawn political criticism, with the left‑wing La France Insoumise party accused of fostering chaos, while its leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon demanded evidence and called for calm.
The riots also destroyed historic sites, such as the 19th‑century city hall in Limoges, which collapsed amid a fire. The week’s violence underscored deep frustrations over cost of living, public services and the looming presidential election, leaving France on edge as the government seeks to restore order.
