French authorities announced a 21:00‑05:00 curfew in Paris and four northern cities on Monday to stem the violence that erupted during the weekend's protests. The curfew follows a wave of clashes that saw 2,400 to 2,500 arrests, including 855 in Paris alone.
The protests were sparked by students demanding better learning conditions and opposing the government's proposed cut of more than 4,000 teaching posts in the 2026 budget. High‑school classrooms average 30 students, compared with 17‑25 in many developed countries, while students in Seine‑Saint‑Denis showed damaged furniture, leaking ceilings, and mould.
Amid the unrest, a video of a couple sipping drinks at a café near the Arc de Triomphe went viral. The footage shows them at an outdoor table while flames from a burning bin illuminated the background, their calmness starkly contrasting the chaos.
Authorities also imposed a partial ban on protests in Paris after demonstrators blocked the Louvre entrance. The curfew is set to remain in effect until Friday, when a review will determine whether to extend or lift it.
President Emmanuel Macron linked the rising cost of living and fuel prices to the conflict in West Asia, noting a 36% increase in petrol and diesel prices in September compared with the same month last year.