The key facts
- Sébastien Lecornu: new curfews will be introduced on Tuesday where the situation requires it, decisions made by prefects in coordination with mayors
- Partial curfews in Paris, Bordeaux and Nice were introduced on Monday; the night passed without major incidents
- Medef estimates damage at a minimum of 3,000 affected businesses; lobby head Patrick Martin accused the state of a 'failure'
New curfews at the discretion of prefects
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday that new curfews will be introduced in areas of the country where the situation requires it. According to him, the partial restrictions imposed the day before in a number of cities 'helped maintain calm throughout the night'. 'Targeted curfews contributed to calm overnight. This evening, new curfews will be introduced where the situation requires it. These decisions will be made locally by prefects in coordination with mayors,' Lecornu wrote on X. Police confirmed that the night passed without major incidents across France.
Context of the riots
On Saturday, France was shaken by some of the most serious riots in recent years — six months before the election of a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. The government, accused of failing to anticipate and contain street violence, promised to restore order and on Monday announced partial curfews in Paris and a number of other cities. The restrictions followed urban unrest amid weeks-long student demonstrations over poor learning conditions in lycées. In Paris, the restrictions applied only on the night from Monday to Tuesday, while in Bordeaux and Nice they were to remain in force for several days. Over the Place de la République in Paris, one of the epicentres of the riots, a helicopter flew at night, illuminating the square with a powerful searchlight to monitor compliance with the curfew.
Lyon and the public reaction
In Lyon, despite a ban on demonstrations, about 500 people gathered on Monday evening outside the tourist office, which had been set on fire, to express support for traders affected by looting, according to the organisers. On the ground, the word 'LYON' was laid out with candles. Nearby, a banner hung on a fence reading 'Anti-Émeutiers Lyon' ('Anti-Rioters Lyon') and 'Doucet démission' ('Doucet, resign') — addressed to the Green mayor Grégoire Doucet, as reported by an AFP journalist.
The government's response and business criticism
Under pressure, the government scheduled a new series of emergency meetings for Tuesday, including talks with representatives of major social media companies. Finance Minister Roland Lescure promised support measures for traders and artisans. The head of the business lobby Medef, Patrick Martin, on Tuesday accused the state of a 'failure' during the urban unrest, which, according to preliminary estimates, affected at least 3,000 businesses. The riots erupted amid nationwide protests against the rising cost of living — as in Marseille, where a window of a looted bank was smashed.
