France is preparing to enforce additional curfew measures in necessary areas after protests against the cost of living and school conditions escalated into riots and violence in multiple cities. Over 2,500 people have been detained, with 67 already imprisoned, while authorities arrested a suspect accused of setting fire to the over 140-year-old Limoges town hall, which was almost completely damaged.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the government will impose additional curfew measures in areas where the situation requires it to restore order following weekend protests that escalated into riots, clashes with authorities, and arson of public buildings in several cities across the country.
The violence on Saturday (17 Oct) marked one of the most severe street riots in France in recent years. Images of clashes and public buildings being burned or destroyed spread worldwide, prompting several countries, including the United States, China, and Germany, to issue warnings for their citizens in France to exercise increased caution.
The government has been criticized for failing to anticipate and promptly control the violence, leading to partial curfew measures in Paris and other cities starting Monday. Lecornu stated that area-specific measures have helped calm nighttime situations and confirmed plans to extend restrictions in necessary locations.
Police reported that on Monday night (19 Oct), there were no major violent incidents nationwide. However, some cities still saw public gatherings despite bans on assembly.
In Paris, helicopters patrolled over Place de la République, a central area of unrest, using high-powered lights to monitor compliance with curfew measures.
The cities of Bordeaux and Nice on France's Riviera coast also imposed partial curfews, with some areas restricting movement from Monday night through Tuesday morning, while other cities planned multi-day curfew enforcement.
In Lyon, despite a ban on gatherings, about 500 people assembled near the tourism office, which had been set on fire, to show support for businesses affected by looting. Protesters lit candles spelling "LYON" on the ground and displayed signs calling for the resignation of Mayor Grégory Doucet from the Green Party.
Since the unrest began, over 2,500 people have been detained across France, with 67 imprisoned. Some protesters suffered serious injuries; in Mulhouse in the east, a 17-year-old girl lost one eye, while in Saint-Étienne, a 17-year-old boy lost a hand due to an explosion from a crowd control device used by police.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered to resign, acknowledging that police lost control during the riots. However, President Emmanuel Macron rejected his resignation.
Meanwhile, Lecornu plans to consult with political parties on Thursday and meet with labor union representatives on Wednesday. The government is also convening additional emergency meetings, including talks with social media platform representatives to manage the situation and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Right-wing politician and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen criticized the riots as a stark warning of a severe state power crisis. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Roland Lescure pledged measures to support affected shop owners and artisans.
Patrick Martin, president of the French business confederation Medef, said the government failed to handle the unrest, which has impacted at least 3,000 businesses according to initial estimates.
Previously, Macron admitted shortcomings in managing the protests. The French president is currently visiting Gulf countries to secure additional oil and diesel supplies, aiming to ease rising energy prices. The presidential office stated that this trip secured commitments to supply an extra 200,000 tons of diesel monthly from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The riots occurred about six months before France's next presidential election to succeed Macron, putting significant pressure on the government to restore order and regain public confidence.
Separately, French authorities arrested a 34-year-old man suspected of arson at the Limoges town hall in the southwest, apprehended in the Haute-Vienne department with assistance from the RAID unit in Bordeaux before being taken into custody for questioning.
BFMTV reported, citing sources close to the investigation, that the suspect is on France's security watchlist, known as the S list, due to links with far-left movements and is known to police for past violent behavior against law enforcement officers.
France’s anti-terrorism agency, SDAT, is involved in the investigation, focusing on possible connections to violent extremist ideologies. However, the case has not yet been classified as terrorism-related. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office stated the suspect remains under surveillance.
The arson occurred during Saturday's protests against the cost of living, which sparked riots in multiple French cities. Rioters broke into the Limoges town hall and set the building on fire, severely damaging the historic section that has been in use since 1883.
Officials stated that the old part of the building suffered near-total damage, with the roof and bell tower collapsing, while firefighters managed to save the modern annex at the rear.
Guillaume Gérin, mayor of Limoges from the Republican Party, criticized the police for insufficient resources and retreating when faced with vandals in Limoges and other cities. He called on the government to develop a major restoration plan and allocate substantial funding to rebuild the town hall, stating the government failed to fully perform its duties during the events.
Prime Minister Lecornu sent a letter to the mayor of Limoges pledging central government support for restoring the town hall, describing the building as a national symbol that will neither be defeated nor intimidated.
The French government continues to manage the situation and assess damage from the riots, preparing additional security measures. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Limoges town hall arson is ongoing to establish facts and accountability.