France: Curfews issued in Paris, Nice after unrest

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Published October 19, 2026last updated October 19, 2026

French authorities imposed curfews in parts of several cities on Monday night after cost-of-living and anti-government protests descended into rioting and looting over the weekend. DW has the latest.

https://p.dw.com/p/5ORTm

A worker repairs a window of a looted shop after violence erupted during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools, in Paris — Workers are repairing the damage after rioters caused damage to shops and businesses in French cities over the weekend Image: Christophe Ena/AP Photo/picture alliance

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What you need to know

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Follow below for the latest on the protests and unrest in France and other parts of Europe on Monday, October 19:

Skip next section France: Curfews imposed in parts of Paris, Lille, Nice

October 19, 2026

France: Curfews imposed in parts of Paris, Lille, Nice

French authorities imposed curfews in parts of several cities on Monday night in response to criticism over security failings after cost-of-living and anti-government protests descended into rioting and looting over the weekend.

In the capital, Paris, police issued a curfew around the Place de la Republique and Les Halles from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. local time (9:00 p.m. to 04:00 UTC) on Tuesday morning, while protests were banned in certain other areas from 8 p.m.

"A police deployment is in place to ensure strict compliance with these measures," read a police statement.

On France's south coast, the mayor of Nice signed an order installing a curfew for minors in the city center overnight while nearby Marseille also banned gatherings and demonstrations.

Sources in Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's office told the Reuters news agency that curfews had also been set for minors between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. over the next two days in the northern city of Lille and the nearby towns of Douai, Wattignies and Denain with the agreement of local mayors.

"My determination to restore order is absolute," Lecornu told reporters, ruling out blanket curfews in Paris but not a potential state of emergency.

https://p.dw.com/p/5ORU0

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

October 19, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to DW's coverage of the continuing civil unrest in France and other European countries on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning.

Curfews were declared in several French cities on Monday evening, including in parts of Paris, as authorities looked to prevent a continuation of protests, rioting and looting.

Stay tuned for more in this blog.

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https://p.dw.com/p/5ORTy

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