France PM Lecornu Imposes Curfews After 2,400 Arrests Across 11 Cities

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed prefects Monday to enforce limited curfews in 11 French cities after a weekend of rioting. He noted that despite extensive property damage, no one had been killed, calling it a miracle. The curfews will run from dusk to dawn in the most affected areas.

The unrest began on Saturday as protests over rising living costs and public service cuts escalated into arson, looting and clashes with police. More than 2,400 people were detained nationwide, with hundreds of shops and public buildings targeted. Damage estimates now hover in the hundreds of millions of euros.

President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation offer, demanding continuity of law‑enforcement leadership. He ordered a thorough review of intelligence failures that contributed to the riots, while calling for new policing tactics. Macron also warned that a state of emergency could be invoked if the situation deteriorated.

In Paris alone, roughly 30 shops were looted, and the city hall’s roof collapsed after a fire. Almost 1,000 security personnel sustained injuries, and a 17‑year‑old lost an eye during clashes in eastern France. The violence disrupted the schedule of a high‑profile PSG‑Barcelona match, but the sporting event was kept on.

European governments issued travel advisories urging citizens to avoid large gatherings in France. The United Kingdom, Germany and Spain advised their nationals to stay away from protest sites. The French government promised a review of policing and investigative procedures.