Paris Imposes Curfews After Widespread Rioting

Paris police have introduced an overnight curfew in two areas of the French capital following a weekend of widespread rioting, looting and damage to public buildings and businesses across France.

The restrictions cover Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district. The curfew runs from 11 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities also banned gatherings and demonstrations from 8 p.m. as they seek to prevent further violence.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for limited, localized curfews after the unrest. Other areas have introduced restrictions for minors. Several northern French cities, including Lille, imposed curfews for children and teenagers under 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Nice also introduced an overnight curfew for minors.

The violence followed nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. Authorities reported at least 2,400 arrests across the country. By Monday, officials estimated that at least 3,000 businesses had suffered damage or looting.

Government Faces Questions Over Security

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation on Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it. Macron called on the minister to ensure transparency about failures in planning and intelligence gathering that contributed to the violence.

The president also requested new policing tactics to help authorities respond more effectively and prevent further disorder.

Nuñez acknowledged that police had lost control in some major cities during Saturday’s unrest. He said authorities needed to improve their ability to anticipate and respond to rapidly moving groups.

Violence also affected cities including Lyon, Marseille and Limoges. In Limoges, flames engulfed the historic city hall, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building.

In Paris, cleanup crews and firefighters worked to clear broken glass and debris from the streets. Shopkeepers also began assessing their losses.

Ouri Zagoury, who owns a video game shop near Place de la République, said looters entered his business after he closed it on Saturday. He reported watching the break-in through surveillance cameras and said police did not arrive despite his call for help.

The unrest has increased pressure on the French government to restore order and protect businesses and public property as authorities continue responding to the damage.