The key facts

  • Curfew in Paris: from 22:00 to 6:00 at Place de la République and around Les Halles, for the entire population, plus a ban on demonstrations from 20:00 to 6:00 in a number of districts
  • In the communes of Lille, Douai, Watinies and Denain — restrictions from 20:00 to 6:00 for two nights; in Denain a separate regime from 21:00 to 6:00 until 25 October
  • Around 550,000 participants in 110 demonstrations on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris; around 400 arrests — figures from interior minister Laurent Nuñez

Restrictions in Paris

As reported on Monday by the French broadcaster BFMTV, the authorities of Paris are introducing a night curfew from 22:00 to 6:00 at Place de la République and on the streets around the Les Halles district. The authorities specified that the restriction applies to the entire population, not only to minors. A ban on holding demonstrations in a number of Parisian districts from 20:00 to 6:00 was also announced. Additionally, a restriction on gatherings was announced in Marseille.

Curfew in the north of the country

Earlier on Monday, the authorities announced that night curfews would be introduced in four northern communes — Lille, Douai, Watinies and Denain — for two nights, with the consent of the mayors of these cities. The restrictions are in effect from 20:00 to 6:00. In Denain, an additional separate night regime has been established from 21:00 to 6:00 until Sunday, 25 October.

Scale of the protests and the government's response

According to interior minister Laurent Nuñez, around 550,000 people took part in 110 demonstrations across France on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris; around 400 arrests were recorded nationwide. The protests were directed against the rising cost of living and fuel prices and were in places accompanied by violence and looting. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday that he had instructed prefects to introduce local and partial curfews after the riots. He also announced a large-scale judicial operation and partial unemployment measures for businesses affected by the violence.