Paris Imposes Curfews Amid Widespread Riots and Looting

Paris police enacted an overnight curfew in two areas of the capital on Monday in an effort to curb ongoing disorder following a weekend of intense rioting that damaged public buildings and thousands of businesses across France. The curfew, which prohibits entry into and remaining in the Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., aims to protect residents and property from violence and looting, according to a statement from the Paris police. Gatherings and demonstrations are also banned starting at 8 p.m.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had previously called for "very limited" and "localized" curfews. In parallel, local authorities in northern France, including Lille, imposed curfews for individuals under 18, effective from Monday for two days between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Similar restrictions for minors were put in place in Nice.

Lecornu defended the police response, noting that despite severe property damage, no fatalities occurred, which he described as a "miracle." He instructed Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to investigate failures in planning and intelligence gathering that may have contributed to the unrest. President Emmanuel Macron refused Nuñez's resignation, citing the need for continued leadership of law enforcement.

The nationwide protests, which escalated into riots over the weekend, were sparked by rising living costs and deteriorating public service conditions. By Monday, authorities reported that at least 3,000 businesses had been damaged or looted in various cities. Across the country, approximately 2,400 arrests were made.

In Marseille, local officials banned protests and gatherings between noon and 8 p.m. on Monday. Nuñez acknowledged that authorities had "lost control" in some major cities on Saturday, stating, "You can’t look shopkeepers in the eye when hundreds of businesses have been looted and say we haven’t lost control in some of these major cities."

The city hall in Limoges, central France, was significantly damaged by fire, resulting in the collapse of its roof. Cleanup operations commenced in Paris on Monday, with crews clearing debris from the streets.

Shopkeepers described scenes of chaos. Ouri Zagoury, owner of a video game store near Place de la République, reported witnessing looters break into his establishment. He stated that police, when contacted, advised him not to intervene and did not arrive promptly.

Political reactions included criticism from Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally party, who accused the government of failing to protect its citizens. He urged citizens to use their "voting power."

The current unrest bears resemblance to previous periods of civil disturbance in France, including the 2023 riots following a police shooting of a teenager and the 2018 yellow vest movement which began in protest of fuel prices and broader economic issues. Macron has called for the implementation of "new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible" to end the violence.