French Cities Calm After Curfews Imposed to Curb Riots

By ADBN TV

October 20, 2026

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French authorities say calm has returned to several cities following the introduction of targeted curfews after a weekend of riots and looting.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says the restrictions were imposed in parts of central Paris, including Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping area.

Restrictions on the movement of young people and public gatherings were also introduced in Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Lille and other towns.

Lecornu credited police officers and gendarmes with helping restore order, adding that decisions on further curfews would be taken by regional authorities and local mayors based on security conditions.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that police had lost control in some cities during the unrest. He offered his resignation following criticism of the authorities’ handling of the situation, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it.

Officials say more than 2,500 people have been arrested since the unrest began, while about 1,000 police officers have been injured.

The protests began last month with students demanding improved conditions in schools but have since expanded, with trade unions and other protest groups joining demonstrations over wider concerns.