France protests: Paris police issue overnight curfew in two areas to try to prevent further disorder

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Masked protesters stand next to burning bicycles amid clashes during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices near the Place de la Republique in Paris as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement, joined by French high school and university students, teachers and parents demanding better school conditions and government action, as well as labour unions, workers, farmers and retirees, France, on October 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Paris police issued an overnight curfew in two areas of the French capital, after a weekend marred by France's worst rioting in years that targeted city halls, other public buildings and thousands of businesses across the country.

The order issued on Monday (October 19, 2026) aims to protect “people and property from the violence and looting”, the Paris police statement said.

The curfew prohibits anyone from entering or remaining on the Place de la République, where rioting took place Saturday (October 17, 2026), and the shopping neighbourhood of Les Halles, which has been subject to looting.

The curfew will be in effect from 11 pm on Monday until 6 am on Tuesday. In addition, gatherings and demonstrations are banned from 8 pm, the Paris police said.

Earlier Monday (October 19, 2026), Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had called for “very limited” and “localised” curfews.

In northern France, local authorities imposed a curfew for children and teenagers under age 18 in several cities, including Lille, starting from Monday (October 19, 2026) and for the next two days from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Nice, on the French Riviera, also imposed an overnight curfew for minors from 9 p.m.

Mr. Lecornu defended police handling of the unrest, saying that “despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle”.

He said that details of the curfews would be announced later Monday (October 19, 2026) after consultations with mayors.

Mass protests in France are often tainted by violence on the fringes of otherwise peaceful marches, leading to clashes with police. Saturday's unrest recalled the riots that followed the fatal police shooting of a teenager in 2023, when authorities imposed local curfews, and violence during the yellow vest movement that began in 2018 over fuel prices and broader economic grievances.

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