The key facts

  • The curfew is in effect from 23:00 to 6:00 on the Place de la Republique and in Les Halles
  • Gatherings and demonstrations are prohibited from 20:00
  • The measure was introduced after some of the worst riots in France in recent years

Nighttime curfew in two zones of Paris

Paris police on Monday imposed a nighttime curfew in two districts of the capital — on the Place de la Republique and in the Les Halles shopping quarter. The measure was taken after a weekend that, according to Euronews, saw some of the largest riots in France in recent years. Being in these zones is prohibited from 23:00 to 6:00 on Tuesday, and gatherings and demonstrations are already banned from 20:00.

Police patrol the streets

On Monday evening, police officers guarded both zones and asked passers-by to choose other routes. Some people had their documents checked. A helicopter with a searchlight flew over Les Halles several times; according to journalists, the streets remained calm.

Decision at the government level

As Euronews notes, the Prime Minister had earlier instructed prefects to impose 'very limited' and 'localized' curfews in order to prevent new cases of looting.