France extends local curfews - after a quiet night

The government believes that the curfews in several French cities that were imposed after the violent riots have eased the situation for the time being. “Targeted curfews” helped to calm the situation “overnight,” wrote Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu in the online service X.

The police and gendarmerie confirmed to the AFP news agency that the night had been quiet overall.

“Further curfews will be decided this evening where the situation requires it,” Lecornu added. Decisions about further curfews would be made “on site by the prefects in coordination with the mayors,” said the head of government.

Restrictions in Paris, Lyon and Nice, for example

The authorities had imposed exit restrictions in several regions last night. In Paris, the area around the central Republic Square was not allowed to be entered between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. In other areas there was a ban on gatherings.

Exit restrictions also applied in Nice, Lille, Lyon and other cities. In Lyon, for example, people were only allowed to be on the streets at night if they could give predetermined reasons for doing so. According to Lecornu, this is intended to protect shops from looting.