Place de la République. Photo: Elena Dijour / Shutterstock.com Police in Paris have introduced overnight restrictions on gatherings and demonstrations in parts of the French capital, alongside a curfew covering both adults and minors in the Place de la République and Les Halles areas.
The Paris Police Prefecture announced the measures following reports of violence and looting in recent days. The restrictions were issued in accordance with instructions from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
The first set of measures prohibited gatherings and demonstrations in designated areas of Paris from 8 p.m. on October 19 until 6 a.m. on October 20. Authorities said the aim is to protect people and property from further violence and looting allegedly involving groups of young people.
In a separate announcement, the police prefecture confirmed a curfew prohibiting both adults and minors from being present in the areas around Place de la République and in the Les Halles district. This restriction runs from 11 p.m. on October 9 until 6 a.m. the following morning (October 20). It is unclear whether the restrictions will carry on the following days or not
Partial curfews restricting the movement of young people and gatherings were also previously announced for Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon in the south and Lille and other towns in the north.
Travelers and residents planning to spend the evening in central Paris should check the latest notices from the Paris Police Prefecture before heading out, particularly if their plans involve République or Les Halles.
The protests began last month with students calling for better school conditions but have since expanded to include wider grievances. Trade unions and various protest groups joined demonstrations over the weekend, increasing turnout.