On Tuesday, fresh curfews were enforced in central Paris and Lyon following recent destructive protests. These measures came after a relatively peaceful night, the first since riots and looting erupted across France. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a significant security operation in preparation for planned protests on Saturday.
Curfews in Paris and Lyon
Paris police reported that the curfew in zones around Place de la République and Les Halles had restored order overnight. This curfew will continue indefinitely. However, the curfews did not cover areas like the Champs-Elysées and the vicinity of Saint-Lazare train station that also saw unrest over the weekend.
In Lyon, authorities renewed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. No incidents were recorded overnight. Marseille imposed a curfew on unaccompanied minors starting Tuesday night. Lecornu stated these actions contributed to the calm night.
Planned Protests and Security Arrangements
Student unions and the ‘yellow vest’ movement, known for fuel price protests in 2018 and 2019, scheduled another protest day on Saturday. The Sentinelle operation, an anti-terrorism force, will guard sensitive locations to free up more police for crowd management. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez emphasized the extensive police deployment planned for Saturday.
Limoges City Hall Arson and Arrest
“The French justice system will be extremely firm,” noted Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin.
On Tuesday, police arrested a suspect linked to the arson attack on the Limoges city hall. The suspect, reportedly affiliated with radical environmentalist groups, was in custody. Darmanin suggested far-left groups targeted state symbols across France.
Footage of the flames engulfing the 143-year-old building gained wide visibility online. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Former President Donald Trump commented on the unrest, attributing it to immigration issues. French officials attributed the violence to far-left factions and looters.
Nationwide Arrests and Legal Proceedings
After the Saturday clashes, about 2,400 arrests occurred nationwide. These involved police confrontations, arson, and incursions into public facilities. In Paris alone, nearly 300 individuals faced prosecutors for actions during the Oct. 17 protests.
Courts have responded firmly, with 149 incarcerations nationwide. Darmanin urged appeals for overly lenient sentences. In an unprecedented move, individuals without criminal records received jail sentences for property crimes, like the three men in Lille sentenced to ten months imprisonment for store looting.
Ongoing Protests and Government Inquiry
Despite curfews, smaller protests persisted. In Rennes, 400 primarily student protesters marched, while roughly 750 gathered in Lyon despite heavy rain. The National Assembly has initiated an inquiry into the recent violence and police response, with outcomes expected by year-end.