Paris extends curfew as Marseille and Lyon ban protests after riots

France is tightening security measures ahead of another weekend of protests, extending curfews in parts of Paris while Marseille and Lyon impose bans on demonstrations amid fears of renewed unrest.

Paris will restrict movement in Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district until Monday. The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums will also close on Saturday as authorities prepare for further demonstrations.

The measures follow last weekend’s unrest, when protests over rising living costs, fuel prices and school conditions were accompanied by looting, fires and damage to businesses and historic buildings.

French authorities say thousands of people have been arrested since the unrest began. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that 2,700 people had been detained and 217 jailed following fast-track trials, with further cases expected.

Police deployments are set to increase by 20% compared with last weekend. In Marseille, public transport will be suspended on Saturday in an effort to prevent further violence, while restrictions on movement will also apply in several other cities.

President Emmanuel Macron has urged a return to calm, saying demonstrations by trade unions may be redirected to alternative routes, while other gatherings could be banned where possible.

The unrest has spread across several French cities, with reports of fires and damage to public buildings, including Lyon’s tourism office and the city hall in Limoges.

The demonstrations, which drew around 550,000 people on 17 October, have been driven by anger over the cost of living and rising fuel prices, following weeks of student protests. Authorities are now preparing for another major day of demonstrations on Saturday.