French authorities have initiated a partial curfew and a wide-ranging ban on demonstrations within parts of Paris, as the government attempts to stabilize the capital following significant street violence. The Paris police préfecture confirmed the new measures on Monday, which are designed to address the unrest that flared up over the weekend.
The curfew will be in effect from 11pm on Monday until 6am on Tuesday. This restriction is not city-wide but is instead focused on specific neighborhoods that experienced recent disturbances, particularly around the Place de la République and the Les Halles area. The affected streets include the Esplanade de la République, the Place de la République, and the area surrounding Les Halles, including Place Maurice Quentin, Rue Berger—up to the junction with Boulevard Sébastopol—Passage des Lingères, and sections of Boulevard Sébastopol and Rue Rambuteau.
While the curfew applies to anyone entering these designated areas, whether on foot, by bike, or in a vehicle, the police order provides several exemptions. Residents, including temporary visitors such as tourists staying in hotels or Airbnbs, are permitted to pass if they can provide proof of their accommodation. Full-time residents may present proof of address, and workers are permitted to enter if they can verify their employment. Additionally, business owners, shopkeepers, and emergency service workers are exempt from the curfew. The Paris police order clarifies that residents who can prove their home is located within the areas, workers required to travel for their jobs, emergency service members, and shopkeepers are not affected.
Separately, a broader ban on all demonstrations and political gatherings has been implemented across a larger portion of the city. This ban is active from 8pm on Monday until 6am on Tuesday and covers key locations including the Élysée Palace, the Ministry of the Interior, the Champs-Élysées, the Assemblée nationale, the Senate, Matignon, the Paris Law Courts, and the Paris Police Headquarters. The restriction also encompasses the areas around Place d’Italie, Place de la Bastille, and the Bourse. Furthermore, gatherings are prohibited in the immediate vicinity of all major railway stations, specifically Montparnasse, Austerlitz, Gare de Lyon, Gare de l’Est, Gare du Nord, and Gare Saint-Lazare.
The government's decision follows a series of violent incidents, including looting on Saturday night and sporadic clashes on Sunday evening. Authorities anticipate a heavy police presence throughout the capital as they work to restore order, though the current measures are restricted to Paris and do not extend to the city's surrounding suburbs.
