Paris restricts demonstrations as France braces for renewed unrest

French authorities have banned protests in several central Paris locations as the government prepares for further demonstrations following a weekend of violence, looting and clashes with police. The restrictions will apply from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday around the presidential palace, the Bastille, both houses of Parliament and tourist sites including the Louvre and Champs-Elysees. The unrest began with student demonstrations over high prices and education reform before expanding into wider anger about public services and the cost of living. Masked rioters damaged shops and buildings, set vehicles alight and confronted police.

India Today reported that more than 2,500 people were taken into custody and that hundreds of suspects were referred for prosecution. Authorities said two nights had passed relatively calmly after targeted curfews and other restrictions. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has nevertheless promised a “massive” security deployment for demonstrations expected on Thursday and Saturday.

Student groups and organisations associated with the Yellow Vest movement have announced further actions, while labour unions are planning a nationwide strike on November 5 over living costs and cuts to public services. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged on Monday that authorities had lost control and failed to anticipate the scale of the violence. Lecornu said security measures had helped restore calm while also recognising shortcomings in the response.

The government is now attempting to protect the right to protest while preventing another outbreak of disorder. The unrest has also become the subject of an international political dispute. US President Donald Trump attributed the violence to “migrants, jihadists, and communists,” claiming France had been “conquered, looted, and burned to the ground.” He used the events while campaigning for the US midterm elections to criticise immigration policies.

President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during a visit to Qatar, accused foreign leaders of using the French crisis for political gain. Asked whether Trump was among those he meant, Macron replied, “Among others.” He also said that information about the unrest had been manipulated, including through AI-generated images depicting scenes that did not occur. Macron rejected claims that France had been invaded by migrants and Islamists.

Marine Le Pen, Macron’s far-right rival and a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election, rejected his explanation. She said the images showed the reality of France after what she called a decade of Macron’s rule and described his account as conspiratorial. India’s embassy in Paris has advised Indian nationals to remain vigilant, avoid demonstrations and crowded areas, and follow instructions from French authorities.

A separate account said the UAE and Bahrain had pledged additional diesel supplies to France during Macron’s Gulf tour, linking the trip to energy costs. The immediate priority for the French government, however, is to contain renewed unrest while addressing the economic and public-service grievances that fuelled the protests.