Marseille imposed a ban on public gatherings and demonstrations for most of Monday, according to an edict issued by the local administration, after the city was hit by violent protests and looting over the weekend.
The ban will take effect from midday until 8pm local time.
This weekend's rioting in France highlighted failings with the security services over how they deal with threats posed by far-left protesters, said Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin.
Darmanin said the security services were very good in dealing with threats from terrorists and organised crime groups, but less so regarding such far-left protesters.
"Clearly, it is not tackling the far-left effectively," Darmanin told France 2 TV.