Local authorities in France have announced partial curfews across several parts of the country following a weekend of widespread protests and looting. The emergency measures come after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu granted local leaders the power to impose restrictions to curb ongoing urban disorder.
In central Paris, police established a curfew affecting key areas including the Place de la République and streets surrounding Les Halles, prohibiting movement and public gatherings during overnight hours. Additional restrictions were introduced outside the capital, with mayors in southern cities like Nice implementing youth curfews, and northern locations—including Lille, Douai, Wattignies, and Denain—enacting local curfews alongside bans on weapons, fireworks, and flammable substances.
The unrest initially began last month when students staged demonstrations over school conditions before expanding into broader protests. Prime Minister Lecornu attributed the escalation to "ultra-left radical groups" seeking to cause chaos ahead of the 2027 French presidential elections, a claim that has drawn pushback from political figures including left-wing presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Meanwhile, authorities reported that roughly 2,000 businesses have been impacted by the recent disorder, while upcoming events such as the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are set to proceed as planned.