French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that localized overnight curfews in Paris and other major cities helped restore calm following intense nationwide protests that resulted in thousands of arrests and significant clashes between demonstrators and police. The curfews were implemented Monday night in cities including Paris, Bordeaux, Nice, and Lyon.
These measures followed weekend protests that escalated into some of the most severe rioting France has experienced in years. Demonstrators targeted businesses and government buildings, while many protesters accused law enforcement of excessive force. The protests initially began in September as a student-led movement advocating for education reforms but have more recently evolved into a broader demand for action against the rising cost of living.
"Targeted curfews have contributed to the calm of this night," Lecornu posted on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday morning. "I thank the police officers and gendarmes who ensured their enforcement, as well as the prefects for their mobilization." He added that new curfews would be decided on the ground where the situation warranted, in coordination with local mayors.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that 2,513 individuals were taken into custody during the recent protests, with 67 individuals imprisoned. He noted that dozens of judicial investigations are ongoing. Nunez stated that approximately 60,000 police and security forces were deployed nationwide, though he acknowledged that authorities struggled to contain riots in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. He attributed the unrest to "rioters, looters and ultra-left militants."
One notable incident involved the historic town hall in Limoges, which was set ablaze on Saturday. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin indicated that counter-terrorism authorities were involved in the investigation, comparing the damage to the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office was assessing the situation to determine if it would take over the case.
The protests in France are occurring amid similar demonstrations in other European cities related to education and the cost of living. Over the weekend, protests took place in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Albania.
In Milan, Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced "criminals" who sought to "exploit demonstrations to seek confrontation and sow chaos." Local media reported that luxury shops in Milan's historic center closed early and boarded up their storefronts due to fears of further unrest.
In Lisbon, Portugal, protesters established a tent camp in Rossio Square to demand government action on rising rents and property prices. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro acknowledged the protesters' concerns but cautioned against importing instability. The current unrest in France occurs in the lead-up to the April 2027 presidential elections, which will mark the end of President Emmanuel Macron's second term.