France will impose new curfews in areas where needed on Tuesday (October 20, 2026), Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, adding that the measures introduced in several cities the previous day had “helped keep the night calm”.
“Tonight new curfews will be decided where the situation requires it. France was rocked on Saturday (October 17, 2026) by some of its worst rioting in recent years , just six months before the country elects a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. Accused of failing to anticipate and contain the street violence, the government has pledged to restore order, and had announced partial curfews in Paris and some other cities on Monday (October 19, 2026). In Lyon, despite a ban on demonstrations, around 500 people gathered on Monday evening outside the tourism office that was set on fire, to show support for shopkeepers affected by looting, according to organisers.
These decisions will be made on the ground, by the prefects, in coordination with the mayors,” he said. A banner hung on a fence nearby read “Anti-Rioters Lyon” and “Doucet Resign”, referring to Green mayor Gregory Doucet, an AFP journalist said.
Finance Minister Roland Lescure pledged support measures for shopkeepers and craftspeople. Under pressure, the government scheduled another series of emergency meetings on Tuesday, including talks involving representatives of major social media platforms.
