France will introduce fresh curfews in selected areas on Tuesday after earlier restrictions helped keep the streets quiet overnight, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed. The government is responding to some of the worst rioting the country has seen in years, which erupted on Saturday and left thousands of shops and businesses damaged.
The violence broke out after weeks of student protests over poor conditions in high schools and a national day of demonstrations against the rising cost of living and fuel prices. Cities including Paris, Bordeaux and Nice already imposed partial curfews on Monday. Police reported that the night passed without major new incidents across the country.
Lecornu said the targeted measures had worked. “Targeted curfews have contributed to calm overnight,” he wrote on X. He added that further curfews would be decided locally by prefects working with mayors wherever the situation demands it. In Paris a helicopter monitored Place de la Republique, one of the flashpoints, with a powerful searchlight to check compliance.
In Lyon, around 500 people gathered near the tourism office that had been set on fire, despite a ban on demonstrations. They lit candles spelling out the city’s name and hung banners calling for the resignation of the Green mayor. Organisers said the gathering was meant to support shopkeepers hit by looting.
Finance Minister Roland Lescure promised help for affected shopkeepers and craftspeople. Meanwhile, Patrick Martin, head of the Medef business lobby, accused the state of having failed during the unrest that damaged at least 3,000 businesses according to early estimates.
The government has called more emergency meetings for Tuesday, including discussions with major social media platforms. With presidential elections only six months away, the authorities are under heavy pressure to restore order quickly and prevent further nights of violence. Officials insist decisions will continue to be made on the ground so that responses stay flexible and effective as the situation develops.
