Curfews in French cities keep streets quiet after weekend riots over living costs

Calm night after weekend unrest

French media reported that the night of Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 October stayed quiet across the country. Images from Paris showed empty streets, with a helicopter circling over the city to keep watch. The curfews followed riots that broke out over the weekend during protests against government policy and rising living costs.

Where the curfews apply

In Paris the restriction covers the city centre, including the area around Place de la République and the streets around Les Halles, and it applies to everyone, not only minors. In Lille, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux, minors are barred from the street in certain areas. In Lille the curfew stays in force for the following night and also covers the neighbouring municipalities of Douai, Wattignies and Denain.

Bordeaux extends its curfew

Bordeaux was added to the list late on Monday. For one week, minors may be on the street from 22:00 to 07:00 only when accompanied by a parent or guardian, in neighbourhoods hit hardest by the looting of 17 October, until 26 October. Sophie Brocas, the regional administrator, announced the measure on X. During Saturday's riots in Bordeaux, the official residence of the head of the Gironde department was vandalised and the tourist office was set on fire.

Lyon solidarity gathering turns tense

Before the curfew took effect in Lyon on Monday evening, people gathered by the tourist office to show solidarity with shop owners and riot police affected by the rioting youths. A far-right group joined the gathering and then marched through the city centre. The group left the curfew zone and dispersed when it reached a bus carrying riot police.