France Unrest: Government Imposes Curfews as Lawmakers Debate Social Media Blackout

Curfews ordered in affected districts

Lecornu instructed prefects to impose curfews in areas hit by looting, according to Onet, which cited the Moscow Times (Zamieszki we Francji. Władze wprowadzają godzinę policyjną – Onet). Franceinfo, as reported by Onet, said the measures will be local and target specific districts of Paris and other affected cities. Onet's own report added that the first restrictions were due to take effect on Monday (Francja reaguje na zamieszki. Wprowadzi godziny policyjne w niektórych miastach – Onet). The curfews mean a ban on being in public places, but they will not apply across all of France; their exact reach and hours will be set by the prefects.

Government promises a tough response

Lecornu described the situation in France as unprecedented, organised riots and said the government would take "broad retaliatory action against criminals", according to Onet, citing the Moscow Times. He told reporters the situation varied sharply by region, and said an official map of the departments affected would be published during the day. After a crisis team meeting, Lecornu said he would use every tool available to a prime minister if needed, when asked about the possibility of a state of emergency, as reported by Onet.

Attal pushes for social media blocking

Former prime minister and presidential candidate Gabriel Attal has again urged the government to be given power to selectively block access to social media platforms, as reported by Onet, citing Politico (Zamieszki we Francji. Propozycja blokady mediów społecznościowych – Onet). Attal argued such a block could be temporary and confined to the areas where unrest is taking place. In an interview with French radio station RTL, he said young people at home watch friends go out to loot and see it online, which makes it look as though they can get away with it, and then join the unrest themselves.

Key figures

• Areas named in reporting: Paris, Lille, Marseille
• Start date of first curfews: Monday, 20 October 2026
• Source reports dated: 19 October 2026