France imposes targeted overnight curfews in Paris and other cities after weekend rioting

French authorities imposed targeted overnight curfews in parts of Paris and several other cities after a weekend of rioting and looting.

In central Paris, the curfews covered the Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping area. Both had seen protests, rioting or looting over the weekend. Curfews or limits on movement and gatherings were also introduced in Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Lille.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in a post on X that the curfews helped keep calm overnight. Le Monde quoted the post as saying: "Targeted curfews have contributed to calm overnight." He said local authorities would decide on any further curfews on Tuesday night where necessary.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation. President Emmanuel Macron rejected it. According to France 24, Macron's office said he refused it "given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context." The statement said Macron told Nuñez to ensure full transparency about failures in planning and intelligence-gathering. It also called for "new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible".

Paris police said the curfew aims to protect "people and property from the violence and looting," France 24 reported.

Reported details

According to the BBC, officials said more than 2,500 people have been arrested since the disorder began. The BBC also reported that about 1,000 police officers were injured. Citing the AFP news agency, the BBC reported that a police crowd-control grenade blew off one demonstrator's hand. The BBC also reported that Nuñez admitted police had "lost control" in some cities.

According to France 24, citing Paris police, the Paris curfew ran from 23:00 Monday to 06:00 Tuesday. France 24 also reported that the curfew in central Nice applied only to unaccompanied minors. The BBC reported restrictions on young people and gatherings in Marseille.

The BBC said the protests began last month with students demanding better school conditions. They later broadened as trade unions and other groups joined. France 24 reported that the weekend rioting targeted city halls, other public buildings and thousands of businesses.

What is disputed

The BBC reported that Nuñez offered his resignation on Monday. France 24 said he did so on Sunday evening.

What each side says

Lecornu thanked police officers and gendarmes and defended their handling of the unrest. France 24 quoted him as saying: "despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle". According to the BBC, opposition politicians strongly criticised Nuñez over preparedness for the disorder.

US President Donald Trump linked the unrest to immigration. France 24 quoted his post on Truth Social: "The migrants have taken over France. They must CLOSE THE BORDERS, FAST!"

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include statements from protesters, student groups or trade unions. They also do not include figures for injured protesters or civilians.

Analysis

The government's approach relies on short, local curfews rather than nationwide measures. This leaves mayors and regional authorities to judge where restrictions are needed. Whether this approach holds may depend on how the coming nights unfold. It may also depend on whether authorities engage with the original grievances over school conditions. Macron's decision to keep Nuñez, alongside his call for transparency about planning and intelligence failures, suggests the question of accountability may stay on the agenda. Several outcomes remain possible: continued calm, renewed unrest, or wider political pressure from opposition parties. Trump's remarks add an international dimension. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not show how French officials responded to them.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.