France announces curfews in Paris, other cities

On Monday, France declared partial curfews in Paris and several other cities following violent demonstrations sparked by skyrocketing prices. The unrest marked some of the most severe street violence the country has seen in recent years. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu did not rule out the possibility of declaring a state of emergency, as interior minister accused police of losing control of the situation.

Tourists in Paris were among those who experienced the disruption, with the Louvre Museum closed due to a small group of student protesters. The government, facing criticism for its inability to foresee and handle the violence, vowed to restore order. Officials worked to quell public anger while demonstrators called for another wave of protests next Saturday.

In response, authorities imposed partial curfews from Monday evening until Tuesday morning in cities like Paris, Lille, and Lyon. The aim was to protect businesses from further damage. In the capital, a curfew was imposed from 11:00 pm (2100 GMT), and demonstrations were banned.