French PM orders localized curfews after weekend of violence and looting over living costs
Summary
Cost-of-living protests in France turned violent over the weekend of October 17-18, 2026, with major violence on Saturday and clashes with police continuing on Sunday. On Sunday evening, groups set fires to bins, bicycles and other objects and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, according to PBS NewsHour. RFI reports that the unrest, which also reflected anger over the state of education, left thousands of businesses damaged. On Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held an emergency Cabinet meeting and asked regional authorities to impose partial, localised curfews in some cities to protect businesses, without saying which cities would be affected. He did not rule out declaring a state of emergency. South China Morning Post reports that the interior minister said police had lost control, and that the Louvre was closed because of a small group of student protesters. Lecornu defended officers, saying that despite severe violence and extensive property damage no one was killed, and accused the ultra-left movement of seeking to orchestrate deep unrest before next year's presidential election. POLITICO reports that the government faces criticism for failing to adequately prepare for the violence.
Timeline
Africanews
Source ↗Africanews reports that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday to assess a weekend of violence and looting during protests against the rising cost of living.
PBS NewsHour
Source ↗PBS NewsHour reports that on Sunday evening groups set fires and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, and that Lecornu called for localized curfews to curb the rioting and looting.
France 24
Source ↗France 24 reports that Lecornu said he had asked regional authorities to impose partial, localised curfews in some cities and accused the ultra-left movement of seeking to orchestrate deep unrest ahead of next year's presidential election.
South China Morning Post
Source ↗South China Morning Post reports that France announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities after weekend protests degenerated into some of the worst street violence in recent years, and that the Louvre was closed because of a small group of student protesters.
The Hindu
Source ↗The Hindu reports that Lecornu defended police facing violent groups and said that, despite severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, which he called a miracle.
POLITICO
Source ↗POLITICO reports that the prime minister ordered localized curfews in response to looting and unrest, and that the government faces criticism for failing to adequately prepare for the violence.
Euronews
Source ↗Euronews reports that the French prime minister ordered localised, partial curfews in some urban areas after a weekend of rioting and looting across France.
Euronews
Source ↗Euronews reports that Lecornu called on regional authorities to impose partial curfews after cost-of-living protests turned into widespread violence and looting on Saturday, with clashes with police continuing on Sunday.
RFI
Source ↗RFI reports that Lecornu asked regional authorities to impose partial curfews in some cities after weekend protests over the cost of living and state of education led to rioting and looting that left thousands of businesses damaged.
France 24
Source ↗France 24 reports that Lecornu faced pressure over security failings, did not rule out a state of emergency, and said partial, localised curfews were more appropriate for now, without detailing which cities would be affected.
The Straits Times
Source ↗The Straits Times reports that Lecornu said he had asked local authorities to impose partial curfews that evening following violent protests across the nation during the weekend.
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