Lecornu Declares Localised Curfews as France’s New Night‑time Challenge

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has ordered partial curfews in selected urban areas, to take effect from tonight, after a week of looting and unrest that led to about 2,400 arrests across France.

The measures are described as “localised” curfews, aimed at the areas where protests and looting have been most intense, while the rest of the country remains open for ordinary night‑time activity.

Lecornu said the decision was necessary to curb what he called “unbridled violence” and blamed the “ultra‑left” for exploiting the protests.

The move has drawn criticism that the government failed to prepare for the wave of disorder that erupted.

Prefects and regional authorities have been asked to enforce the curfew only in the designated hotspots, leaving night‑time cafés and bars to wonder whether they’ll need to dim their lights a bit earlier.