France is extending city curfews after a weekend of unrest that left businesses attacked, police injured and thousands detained. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that new restrictions would be imposed where needed, as local officials move to keep order in Paris and other cities.

The measures come after overnight curfews introduced on Monday night helped bring what officials described as a calmer night. Lecornu said the restrictions would be decided on the ground by prefects, the local state representatives in France, working with mayors.

Curfews spread across major cities

Curfews were imposed in several cities on Monday night, including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille and Nice, according to local and national reports. In Paris, movement restrictions remained in place on Tuesday in areas including Place de la République, near the Élysée Palace, and around Les Invalides.

Authorities have also tightened the rules for younger people in some places. Lille’s curfew applied only to minors, while Marseille planned a curfew for minors around the commercial areas hardest hit by the riots. Bordeaux announced a six-day curfew for unaccompanied minors.

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The government has not moved to declare a state of emergency, which President Emmanuel Macron has so far ruled out. Instead, officials are relying on targeted curfews and restrictions on gatherings to limit the spread of violence.

Unrest leaves thousands detained

The violence erupted after weeks of demonstrations that began with high-school students demanding better school conditions and more teachers, before widening into protests over the cost of living and public services. Reuters reported that the unrest later drew broader anger over rising prices and deteriorating health, housing and welfare provision.

French officials say the weekend violence was extensive. More than 3,000 businesses were attacked and more than 1,000 law-enforcement officers were injured, according to one report. One report gave a figure of 2,513 detentions, while another put it above 2,513, while Reuters put the number at around 2,500 still in custody for questioning. Gérald Darmanin, the justice minister, said 149 people remained in detention awaiting trial.

Separately, another report said 149 people were already in prison, either awaiting trial or after one of the first convictions. The reports differed on whether any of the 149 had already received an initial conviction.

Protests are not over

More demonstrations are already planned for Saturday. The Yellow Vests movement and major student organisations have called for a new mobilisation on October 24, while student union UNEF said it would continue the pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and his government.

Lecornu said the government would deploy a massive police presence across France for the weekend. He has also invited political parties from both the government and the opposition to talks on Thursday as the administration tries to refocus attention on a budget bill.

The government has also announced support for damaged businesses. The package includes interest-free loans of up to €50,000 and delays to tax debts. Officials are also preparing a bill that would allow illicit gains from trafficking, theft or handling stolen goods to be deducted from public aid paid to offenders if the measure becomes law.