France bans sale and use of fireworks until 27 November amid school protests

A nationwide ban on fireworks

The French government has banned the sale and use of fireworks and recreational pyrotechnic articles across the country until 27 November. The measure is set out in a decree signed on Saturday, 14 November, by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and published in the Journal officiel on Sunday, 15 November, taking effect immediately. It applies to French and foreign nationals as well as to shops and professional businesses in the sector. Exemptions are limited to licensed professionals and public authorities, who may still buy and use the listed materials. For mortar fireworks, the sale ban covers categories F2 and F3, while category F4 stays reserved for professional pyrotechnicians.

Why the government acted

The decree cites the risk of serious disruption to public order linked to protests and blockades at schools and universities. The movement began in mid-September, when secondary pupils went onto the streets of Paris and its suburbs to demand better school conditions. Cost-of-living protesters and the Yellow Vest movement later joined the demonstrations. During some early weekends, pyrotechnics were used as weapons against police officers and other protesters, and Europa Press reports that some of the injuries led to amputations. Before the ban, mortars could be bought at approved shops, but their use on public roads was already prohibited.

Staff injured and a warning to offenders

Early in November, a female teacher, a female school assistant, a male principal and a male AED were injured in the Val-d'Oise department. In the days before the decree, further incidents at several lycées also left people hurt. On Thursday, 12 November, the government said it would pursue criminal sanctions against anyone who targets education staff. An anonymous government source said the devices were no longer used for celebrations but to injure people, while the right to protest remained guaranteed. Police and gendarmes were among those targeted by fireworks fired at head height, according to the same source.

Turnout and arrests on 14 November

Saturday, 14 November marked the fifth consecutive weekend of protests. The Interior Ministry put attendance at 106,000 people nationwide, while the organisers counted 200,000. Turnout was lower than at previous weekends, and the day was largely peaceful, though incidents occurred in Marseille, Grenoble, Lyon and Bordeaux. The Interior Ministry's official toll was 219 arrests and ten police officers with minor injuries. Protesters targeted the cost of living, a bill on the presumed legitimate use of weapons by police, and demands for more resources for teachers.

Interior Ministry106,000

Organisers200,000

Interior Ministry

106000 people

Organisers

200000 people

Data from the article text

What comes next

A further nationwide mobilisation is planned for Tuesday, 17 November. The ban on selling and using fireworks is set to run until Friday, 27 November, and the decree is already in force. The government has threatened criminal penalties for anyone who targets school staff. The ban sits alongside the continuing school and cost-of-living protests, which have now run for several weeks.