French authorities imposed overnight curfews in parts of central Paris and other cities after a weekend of riots and looting across the country, according to police and government statements reported by the BBC.
Where the curfews hit
Paris police said a curfew from 23:00 to 06:00 local time applies at Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping area. A ban on unauthorized gatherings was also set in several other parts of the city center.
Partial curfews—variously limiting youth movement and gatherings—were announced for Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, and Lyon, as well as Lille and other northern towns, the BBC reported.
Minister says police “lost control”; Macron rejects his resignation
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who has faced opposition criticism over preparedness, admitted police had “lost control” in some cities, per the BBC’s account of his remarks. The Élysée Palace said Nuñez attempted to resign on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron refused “given the need for continued command of law enforcement,” and said Nuñez should be transparent about what Macron called “intelligence and foresight failings.”
After a crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said mayors are being empowered to impose curfews “where they need” them. He did not rule out a nationwide state of emergency. Lecornu said the government will set aside recovery funds and pursue repayment from those responsible: “There will be a law that will be put in place to find ways of making sure that those who have damaged properties will have to pay.” He also announced a partial unemployment fund for people unable to work due to the unrest.
Arrests, injuries, and damage
Officials said more than 2,500 people have been arrested. About 1,000 police officers were injured. The AFP news agency reported one demonstrator’s hand was blown off by a police crowd-control grenade.
Alain Di Crescenzo, head of France’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI), told RTL that more than 2,000 shops and other businesses were directly impacted, with total damage estimated in the “hundreds of millions of euros.” Jean-Luc Chauvin, who leads the CCI in Marseille, told the BBC many shop owners are in “deep distress” and fear for their survival.
In Limoges, the 19th-century city hall was gutted by a fire started by rioters, with its clock tower and roof collapsing, the BBC reported.
How the protests escalated
The demonstrations began last month with students demanding better school conditions, then widened to broader grievances. The BBC said about 550,000 people took part over the weekend to protest rising fuel prices, the cost of living, and deteriorating public services, including schools. Groups of rioters—some in black clothing with masks or balaclavas—were seen setting cars and buildings ablaze and looting businesses in Paris, Marseille, and other locations.
Security warnings and online resale claims
The US Embassy in France advised Americans to avoid areas affected by recent demonstrations and to “exercise caution” near large gatherings. China and Germany issued similar warnings.
Two French government ministers said looted goods appeared on some online marketplaces. A Vinted spokesperson said selling stolen goods is “strictly prohibited” and that its teams “took immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to the looting” while stepping up monitoring of suspicious posts.
Nuñez said 200 investigators are reviewing CCTV to identify possible ringleaders, according to the BBC.
Political blame and pushback
Some politicians accused the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) of playing a role in the violence. Earlier, Prime Minister Lecornu alleged that some groups “want to create chaos in our country up until the presidential elections.” LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who plans to run for president next year, responded by urging the prime minister to “prove his accusation” or “apologise, shut up, and stop stoking disorder.”
What to watch next
The prime minister has not ruled out a state of emergency and said more local curfews could follow. Authorities say they are pursuing those responsible for damage and looting.
