Protests in France: Louvre blocked, authorities consider curfew
Photo: Protests in France (Getty Images)
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for partial curfews to be imposed following the riots. Meanwhile, the Louvre in Paris did not open due to a protest, Sky News reports.
Lecornu spoke after a crisis meeting he held in the morning. He promised that the government would be transparent about the investigation into the violence that took place over the weekend.
"We haven't got anything to hide," he stressed.
The prime minister repeatedly blamed the "ultra-left" for the riots. He later said that "criminal elements" were also behind the violence. According to him, there is currently a problem with the far left in Marseille.
Public gatherings were banned in Marseille today from 12:00 pm to 08:00 pm local time.
Lecornu assured that those detained would be convicted. He called this a "criminal justice response." The authorities will also conduct a "massive investigation" to find those who have so far evaded accountability.
The prime minister also asked prefectures, or regional authorities, to introduce "partial curfews."
Prefects will discuss this with mayors and local chambers of commerce and industry, he added.
However, the mayor of Paris said that introducing a curfew was not within his remit.
Louvre blocked
Separately, protesters blocked the entrances to the Louvre museum in Paris. The museum’s management and trade unions told the AFP news agency, The Guardian reports.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 18, 2026
Inspired by France, young second and third-generation migrants started looting stores in Milan, Italy around 2 hours ago.
International mainstream media isn’t showing just how bad things are in Europe. pic.twitter.com/ngDVLvDpj2
The protesters joined the nationwide student movement and spoke out against "police repression." The museum was unable to open on time. According to the museum’s management, the protest was led by students from the École du Louvre.
France has fallen. pic.twitter.com/SaFGWqOclQ
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 18, 2026
"We are proud to announce that we are blocking the world’s largest museum," read a leaflet posted near the entrance.
Cars were set on fire and shops looted as demonstrations descended into violence in Paris, France, on Saturday amid nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands who denounced rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 19, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron held… pic.twitter.com/U8q5oc9gc0
On Sunday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation. He condemned the "uncontrolled violence," promised to punish all those responsible, and announced emergency assistance for affected businesses.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, US President Donald Trump reacted to the protests in France. He called on the country’s authorities to close the borders and take control of the situation, blaming migrants for the chaos.
We also reported that 2,000 people had already been detained during the riots in France. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, between 550,000 and 800,000 people took part in 110 marches, while more than 600 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters were injured.
