Paris Police Impose Night Curfew After Heavy Rioting and Looting

Paris police have announced an overnight curfew in two areas of the French capital following widespread rioting and looting that damaged city halls, public buildings, and thousands of businesses across the country. The curfew order was issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, to protect people and property from violence and looting.

Areas Affected

The restriction bans anyone from entering or staying on the Place de la République, where rioting occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and in the Les Halles shopping neighbourhood, which suffered looting. The curfew runs from 11 pm on Monday until 6 am on Tuesday. Gatherings and earlier demonstrations are also prohibited starting from 8 pm.

Government Action

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu earlier called for very limited and localised curfews. In northern France, local authorities ordered an overnight curfew for children and teenagers under 18 in cities including Lille, starting Monday for the next two days from 8 pm to 6 am. Nice also enforced an overnight curfew for minors starting at 9 pm. Prime Minister Lecornu defended the police response to the unrest, noting that no one died despite severe violence and property damage.

Context

France has a long history of mass protests that occasionally lead to clashes between demonstrators and police. Recent years have seen similar civil unrest, including the yellow vest movement starting in 2018 and riots following a teenager's fatal police shooting in 2023, during which authorities similarly resorted to local curfews.