Paris orders overnight curfew in two areas after weekend of rioting

Paris police have ordered an overnight curfew in two central areas after a weekend of rioting and looting across France. The restriction bars people from entering or remaining on the Place de la République and in the Les Halles shopping area from 23:00 on Monday 19 October until 06:00 on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, citing police. A separate ban on gatherings and demonstrations begins at 20:00. [3]

Other cities have introduced local curfews, but their rules differ. NOS reports restrictions in Lyon, Nice and Lille: those in Lille apply to under-18s from 20:00, while those in parts of Lyon and Nice apply to young people from 21:00. [4]

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he had asked local authorities to impose partial curfews, telling reporters: “It is out of the question to put all of Paris under curfew.” His request did not itself determine the rules in each city. [6]

Marseille has also restricted public activity, though not every restriction is a curfew. Local outlet Maritima reported a ban on gatherings and demonstrations across the city from noon to 20:00 on Monday. The BBC listed Marseille among cities announcing partial restrictions, but that daytime ban does not establish whether a separate overnight curfew was imposed there. [5] [1]

The measures follow protests over living costs and school conditions during which rioters clashed with police and looted businesses. Hundreds of thousands of people also marched peacefully, AP reported. [7]

Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire acknowledged the police prefecture’s curfew announcement but said the measure should remain exceptional and temporary, rather than become a lasting response to the crisis. [2]