France Extends Night Curfews as Riots Roil Cities

WHO:

CBS News Politics - President Emmanuel Macron’s government is trying to regain control after the unrest.

ABC News - French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu credited overnight curfews with providing a measure of calm.

BBC News - Sébastien Lecornu said decisions about new curfews would be made where necessary.

NY Post - Student unions and Yellow Vests planned new protests.

NBC News Politics - NBC correspondent Richard Engel reported from Paris; Aidan Stretch reported for CBS News World.

WHAT:

CBS News Politics - French authorities extended curfews and increased police presence in public spaces.

CBS News Politics - Rioters set fire to buildings and looted thousands of businesses.

Boston.com News - Paris police said curfews in two designated zones restored “public peace” overnight and would remain in place “for as long as necessary.”

CBS News World - French authorities imposed a countrywide curfew.

NBC News Politics - Curfews were imposed in parts of Paris and other French cities amid violent protests.

NY Post - More than 2,500 people remained in custody.

NY Post - Paris police imposed overnight curfews in two districts; the unrest damaged 3,000 businesses and resulted in 2,400 arrests across France.

WHERE:

Boston.com News - The two Paris curfew zones were around Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district.

CBS News World - The curfew was imposed across France.

ABC News - Curfews were imposed in Paris and other major cities.

NY Post - The arrests were across France; the curfews covered two districts of the French capital.

WHEN:

CBS News Politics - Riots and looting occurred over the weekend.

CBS News World - The countrywide curfew began Monday night.

NY Post - Student unions and Yellow Vests planned protests for Saturday.

BBC News - Lecornu said new curfews for Tuesday night would be decided where necessary.

WHY:

NBC News Politics - The protests were over the climbing cost of living.

CBS News Politics - The government extended curfews and increased police presence in an effort to regain control after the riots.

HOW:

CBS News Politics - Authorities sought to restore control by extending curfews and increasing police presence in public spaces.

Boston.com News - Paris police used overnight curfews in two designated zones; officials said the measures restored “public peace.”

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 00:22 UTC)

France’s government is trying to regain control after violent protests over the rising cost of living, with rioters setting fires and looting businesses. Authorities imposed curfews and increased police patrols in public spaces, including two Paris zones around Place de la République and Les Halles, where police said the measures restored public peace. The unrest damaged thousands of businesses and led to about 2,400 arrests across France, with more than 2,500 people reportedly still in custody. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu credited overnight curfews with bringing some calm and said further restrictions would be considered where needed. Student unions and Yellow Vests plan to protest on Saturday.