French authorities on Tuesday imposed overnight curfews in central Paris and Lyon following weekend protests that escalated into rioting and looting. The restrictions, which exclude some areas hit hardest by the unrest, were extended after a quiet night under the measures. A British business owner whose family shop was damaged in the riots described the emotional and financial toll on employees.
Curfews enforced in key zones after overnight calm
Paris police confirmed curfews in two designated zones—around Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district—after the first quiet night since the unrest. The measures will remain in place "for as long as necessary," according to authorities. In Lyon, a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. was renewed, with no disturbances reported overnight. Marseille implemented a curfew for unaccompanied minors starting Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the targeted curfews "helped keep last night calm" and announced a "massive" security operation ahead of planned protests on Saturday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said soldiers from the Sentinelle anti-terrorism operation would take over guarding sensitive sites to free up police for crowd control.
Business owner describes destruction of family shop
British national Lily Mackie-Maynard, 27, whose family runs Yess Electrical with three branches in Paris, shared footage showing the entire front of their city center shop smashed and the interior gutted by rioters. Employees were seen stepping over shattered glass in the workplace.
Mackie-Maynard, who is based in London, said the impact on staff had been the most distressing aspect. "Things can be repaired, but it has been a difficult time for the people who work there," she said. "They turned up to find the place they work every day damaged, and that's upsetting. Many of them have been shaken by it."
She emphasized the broader consequences of the violence, stating: "This violence isn't just affecting businesses themselves but affecting all the people who work within them. The people who live nearby and now the hundreds and hundreds of people who will feel unsafe walking around these areas."
Protests and policy responses
The unrest followed nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and poor school conditions, with student unions and Yellow Vest movement groups calling for further protests on Saturday. The Yellow Vests previously staged major protests over fuel prices in 2018 and 2019.
Authorities reported that the curfew zones excluded areas such as the Champs-Élysées and parts of Rue de Turbigo, where protesters had set up barricades and lit fires during the weekend. The government has not provided specific figures for the security deployment ahead of Saturday’s protests.
The business remains in the process of recovery, with staff working to reopen the shop, according to Mackie-Maynard.