Curfew in 14 French Cities as Main Demonstration Route Changes Ahead of Oct. 31

Paris — Authorities imposed a curfew in specified areas of at least 14 cities over the weekend, coinciding with calls to demonstrate on October 31 and Halloween celebrations, amid concerns about renewed violence.

In the capital the curfew covered Place de la République and Châtelet–Les Halles and was set from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the nights of Saturday and Sunday; it applies to all people present within the designated zones.

The measures extended beyond Paris to include several northern towns — including Douai, Donan, Wattignies, Valenciennes and Marly — as well as areas in Lyon and Avignon, where restrictions in those cities focused on preventing unaccompanied minors from moving about, with hours of application varying from city to city.

Restrictions were also imposed in parts of Marseille, Aubagne, Cabriès and Les Pennes-Mirabeau, while Grenoble announced a curfew in parts of its city center and commercial districts from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In Bordeaux authorities decided to start a curfew for minors unaccompanied by their parents from 8 p.m., alongside limits on gatherings, while the city of Tours imposed a ban on movement in certain neighborhoods from 7 p.m. on Saturday until 5 a.m. on Sunday.

On the judicial front the Council of State overturned a Paris administrative court decision that had eased the organization of the main demonstration between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation, and upheld the Paris police decision to bar that route after an urgent appeal filed by the Prefecture of Police of Paris against a ruling issued Friday evening that had lifted the restrictions.

The Council of State approved the alternative route set by authorities between the Porte de Bagnolet and Porte de Charenton on the outskirts of the capital, saying the decision was necessary to secure participants and facilitate the deployment of security forces; it judged that changing the route was a necessary and proportionate response to the anticipated risks and did not constitute an unjustified restriction on the right to protest.

The Interior Ministry warned of the possibility of outbreaks of violence and urban disorder similar to those seen on October 17, with particular concern focused on evening hours during Saturday’s demonstrations.