France imposes curfews in 12 towns after protests lead to violence

The French interior ministry announced on Sunday that localised curfews will be imposed in 12 towns after a weekend of violence and looting that left dozens injured and hundreds of shops damaged. The curfews run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will be enforced by police and the gendarmerie. The government also pledged €150 million in emergency grants for businesses hit by the unrest and said it was ready to invoke a full state of emergency if the situation deteriorates further.

The unrest follows weeks of tension over the government's pension reform plan, which raises the retirement age to 64. Protesters have taken to the streets in major cities since the reform passed in parliament in February. The latest flare‑up was sparked by a police shooting in the suburb of Saint‑Denis that sparked anger in the outskirts of Paris and quickly spread to Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse. Economic hardship, high youth unemployment and a perception of police bias have fed the anger.

Police reported more than 200 arrests over the two‑day disturbance and said they recovered over 1 000 bottles and other weapons used in the clashes. Hospitals treated 38 people for injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones. Local merchants estimate the damage at €30 million, with windows smashed, cars set alight and inventory destroyed. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the curfews are a “temporary but necessary” measure to protect citizens and allow authorities to restore order. Opposition leaders warned the move could inflame tensions further and called for dialogue instead of punitive measures.

The curfews will be reviewed every week by the interior ministry, and may be extended if violence continues. A parliamentary commission on public safety is set to meet next week to discuss whether to trigger a full state of emergency, which would give the government broader powers to restrict movement and conduct searches. Business groups hope the financial aid will help shops reopen, while community leaders urge the state to address the underlying social grievances that fuel the unrest.