In brief
Targeted curfews across Paris and other major French cities helped quell a week’s worth of riots and looting. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu praised police for enforcing the restrictions, noting that further curfews would be decided on‑the‑ground. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez faced criticism after admitting loss of control, but his resignation was rejected by President Macron. Over 2,500 people have been arrested, one protester lost a hand to a police grenade, and about 1,000 officers were injured. The unrest, sparked by student demands for better school conditions, has broadened to include trade unions and other protest groups.
Targeted curfews across France contributed to a quiet night after a weekend of riots and looting, the Prime Minister said.
The curfews were applied to key areas of central Paris—Place de la République and Les Halles—as well as cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Lille, and other towns in the north and south.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu thanked police officers and gendarmes for enforcing the measures and said further curfews on Tuesday night would be decided based on local needs.
In a post on X, he added that decisions would be made “on the ground” by regions and mayors.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez earlier admitted that police had “lost control” in some cities. After facing criticism over preparedness, he offered to resign, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected the offer.
Officials say more than 2,500 people have been arrested since the unrest began. One demonstrator suffered a blown‑off arm from a police crowd‑control grenade, and around 1,000 police officers were injured.
The protests began last month over students’ demands for better school conditions and have since broadened to include trade unions and various protest groups, pushing the demonstrations into a more violent arena.
