French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has credited targeted curfews and movement restrictions with helping to restore calm following a weekend of riots, looting and clashes across several cities.
The measures were introduced in parts of the country, including central Paris, after demonstrations escalated into widespread disorder.
In the French capital, restrictions covered areas around Place de la République, where protesters had gathered over the weekend, as well as the Les Halles shopping district.
Similar measures limiting the movement of young people and restricting public gatherings were implemented in Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon in the south, alongside Lille and other towns in northern France.
Lecornu thanked police officers and gendarmes for enforcing the restrictions, saying authorities would assess the need for further curfews on Tuesday night.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said decisions would be made based on conditions on the ground, with regional authorities and local mayors determining where additional measures were necessary.
The unrest has placed pressure on the government, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledging earlier that police had lost control of the situation in some cities.
Nuñez faced criticism from opposition politicians over the authorities’ preparedness for the violence. He subsequently offered his resignation on Monday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it.
According to officials, more than 2,500 people have been arrested since the disorder began. The violence has also resulted in injuries among protesters and security personnel.
The Agence France-Presse news agency reported that one demonstrator lost a hand after a police crowd-control grenade exploded. Approximately 1,000 police officers were also reported injured.
The protests initially began last month, with students demanding improvements in school conditions. However, the demonstrations have since expanded to encompass wider grievances, drawing support from trade unions and various protest movements.
The growing participation of different groups has broadened the scope of the unrest, presenting the French government with mounting challenges in restoring order while responding to protesters’ demands.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring developments across affected areas as they determine whether further restrictions will be required to prevent renewed violence.
