How France’s worst rioting in years erupted and how the government responded

“We are paying for decades of being soft on crime, of weak authority, of the moral, psychological, and material disarmament of our internal security forces,” Jordan Bardella, the president of the far-right National Rally party, said after emerging from a police station in central Paris on Sunday. He said he had gone there to support police officers. Then he addressed France’s “honest citizens” who were stunned Sunday by the smashed storefronts and burned-out businesses destroyed by rioters the night before. He said they had a vital role to play in reinstating national stability. And that would be by voting in the coming election for his party. “People need to wake up now,” Bardella said. “They need to make the right political choices, and in any case, we stand ready to restore order in the country.”Sunday was a day of mourning, shock, and finger-pointing in France. The day before, huge peaceful protests for better school conditions and against rising living costs were overshadowed by black-clad and often masked agitators of unclear affiliation who attacked government buildings and shops across the country, sometimes stealing wine or electronics.

The curfew will be in effect from 11 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. In addition, gatherings and demonstrations are banned from 8 p.m., the Paris police said. Police officers stand behind a fire near Place de la Republique following an unauthorised demonstration, central Paris, on October 18, 2026. MATTHIEU RONDEL/AFP via Getty ImagesEarlier Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had called for “very limited” and “localized” curfews. In northern France, local authorities imposed a curfew for children and teenagers under age 18 in several cities, including Lille, starting from Monday and for the next two days from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Nice, on the French Riviera, also imposed an overnight curfew for minors from 9 p.m. Lecornu defended police handling of the unrest, saying that “despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle.”He said that details of the curfews would be announced later Monday after consultations with mayors. Mass protests in France are often tainted by violence on the fringes of otherwise peaceful marches, leading to clashes with police.

BySYLVIE CORBET Monday, October 19, 2026 5:24PMOn Sunday, groups of people set fires to trash bins, bicycles and other objects in the streets and looted businesses in Paris. PARIS -- The Champions League showpiece between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will go ahead as planned on Tuesday in Paris, the French interior minister confirmed despite violent weekend protests. Many French citizens have been left shocked by the images of violence that have drawn worldwide attention and highlighted the country's tense social climate. On Monday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting. The violence targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds of businesses across the country, leading to more than 2,000 arrests. Tuesday's match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes will require a robust security deployment, with police forces already strained following weeks of student protests. In May, Paris police detained dozens of people after violence disrupted celebrations of PSG's second Champions League title and a group tried to storm a police station.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds of businesses across the country. Speaking after an emergency meeting with top government officials, Lecornu said “on Saturday, despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle” as he defended the work of police officers faced with violent groups of people. Lecornu said details of the areas to be placed under curfew will be provided later Monday. The instructions come as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.

On Sunday, groups of people set fires to trash bins, bicycles and other objects in the streets and looted businesses in Paris. BySYLVIE CORBET Monday, October 19, 2026 5:24PMPARIS -- The Champions League showpiece between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will go ahead as planned on Tuesday in Paris, the French interior minister confirmed despite violent weekend protests. Many French citizens have been left shocked by the images of violence that have drawn worldwide attention and highlighted the country's tense social climate. On Monday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting. The violence targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds of businesses across the country, leading to more than 2,000 arrests. Tuesday's match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes will require a robust security deployment, with police forces already strained following weeks of student protests. In May, Paris police detained dozens of people after violence disrupted celebrations of PSG's second Champions League title and a group tried to storm a police station.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds of businesses across the country. Speaking after an emergency meeting with top government officials, Lecornu said “on Saturday, despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle” as he defended the work of police officers faced with violent groups of people. Lecornu said details of the areas to be placed under curfew will be provided later Monday. The instructions come as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.