France Announces Fresh Curfews as Riots Leave Thousands in Police Custom

France is preparing to impose fresh curfews in areas affected by violent unrest as the government struggles to restore order following some of the country’s worst street violence in recent years.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that additional restrictions would be introduced wherever necessary after weekend demonstrations escalated into riots, with shops looted, public buildings set ablaze and clashes erupting between protesters and security forces.

The unrest has put President Emmanuel Macron’s government under mounting pressure, just six months before the election to choose his successor. The violence followed weeks of protests over poor learning conditions in high schools, alongside wider public anger over the rising cost of living. About 500,000 people reportedly took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday.

Authorities introduced partial curfews in Paris, Bordeaux and Nice on Monday. In Paris, a helicopter flew over Place de la République, a major flashpoint during the unrest, using a powerful searchlight to monitor compliance with restrictions.

“The sound of a helicopter at one in the morning is a bit oppressive,” said Sylvain Courant, a resident of the Les Halles neighbourhood. He compared the scene to something from a war film. Meanwhile, a targeted curfew for minors was scheduled to begin in several districts of Marseille on Tuesday evening and remain in place at least until Friday, according to a source close to the matter.

The government has faced criticism over its handling of the crisis. More than 2,500 people had been taken into police custody nationwide since the weekend, while 67 had been jailed, according to the report. Several demonstrators suffered serious injuries, including a 17-year-old girl who lost an eye in Mulhouse and a 17-year-old boy whose hand was blown off by a grenade in Saint-Étienne.

The destruction of a historic town hall in Limoges has become one of the most prominent symbols of the violence. On Tuesday, security forces arrested a man suspected of links to the ultra-left in connection with the incident, while anti-terrorism police were called in to investigate the suspected arson. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had offered to resign after acknowledging that police had “lost control” during the unrest, but Macron rejected his resignation.

The crisis has also triggered political and economic concerns. Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen described the unrest as a “wake-up call” exposing what she called a profound crisis of authority. Business leaders said at least 3,000 businesses had been affected, based on preliminary estimates, prompting Finance Minister Roland Lescure to promise support for shopkeepers and craftspeople. Investors have also sold French government debt amid concerns about public spending and the government’s ability to manage the country’s finances.

International reactions have added to the pressure, with the United States, China and Germany issuing travel advisories for their citizens in France. US President Donald Trump attributed the unrest to immigration rather than school conditions and urged Macron to close France’s borders. The French government, meanwhile, has scheduled further emergency meetings with social media platforms on Tuesday and talks with trade unions on Wednesday as it seeks to contain the violence and address the grievances behind the protests.