France curfews after riots: Paris, Nice and Lyon impose night curfews as 2,500+ arrested

France imposed local curfews on Monday after a weekend of anti-government protests turned into riots across its big cities, with more than 2,500 people arrested, France's Justice Ministry said, CBS News reported, citing its partner BBC News. Masked rioters burned the 19th-century town hall in Limoges on Saturday, looted shops and torched cars and buildings.

Where the curfews are, in Pakistan time

France is three hours behind Pakistan until the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October.

Gatherings in Paris after 8pm (11pm PKT) were also banned.

How it started

The unrest began weeks ago as protests by young people angry about the state of their schools. It snowballed into national demonstrations against the rising cost of living and declining public services, and at the weekend rallies organised by the Yellow Vests movement were hijacked by masked groups.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that "those who sought to bring down the republic will be held accountable". On Monday Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu admitted police "had lost control", asked regional authorities for "partial" and "localized" curfews to protect businesses, and said the government was ready to declare a national state of emergency "if needed". He blamed some of the violence on an ultra-left movement he said was trying to disrupt the run-up to April's presidential election, while calling the students' complaints about their classrooms legitimate.

The Yellow Vests have called new demonstrations for Saturday. US President Donald Trump linked the unrest to migration in a social media post, though French officials have suggested no such link.

If you are in France or travelling there

Many Pakistani students and workers live in France, and many more pass through Paris on the way to other European cities. Sensible steps this week:

• Avoid protest areas, especially Place de la Republique, Les Halles and city centres on Saturday. The US State Department has issued the same advice to its citizens.
• Plan around the curfews, and allow extra time for airports and stations if transport is disrupted.
• Register with the Pakistan Embassy in Paris if you live there, and keep its contact details to hand.

If you are sending money home from Europe, today's euro rate is on our EUR to PKR page, and our currency converter shows what a transfer is worth in rupees.

What happens next

The next test is Saturday's round of protests. If they turn violent again, a nationwide state of emergency is on the table.