Paris imposes overnight curfew around Republique and Les Halles

Paris is imposing an overnight curfew around Place de la Republique and streets near Les Halles. It will run from 23:00 to 6:00. The restrictions apply to everyone, not only minors.

Paris police announced the measure to protect people and property after rioting and looting. It prohibits presence in the designated areas rather than across the entire capital.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had earlier instructed officials to prepare localized curfews in selected city centers. Local authorities are responsible for determining the affected areas.

The protests began in mid-September with secondary school students in the Paris suburbs demanding improvements to school conditions. People protesting rising prices later joined, and demonstrations spread across the country.

France’s Interior Ministry said about 550 thousand people took part in nationwide demonstrations on October 17. Rioting and shop looting accompanied the protests, notably in Paris and Marseille.