October 20, 2026 — Overnight curfews took effect on Monday night, October 19, in parts of Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon after a weekend of rioting and looting. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Tuesday morning that the targeted curfews helped bring a calm night, and that more will be ordered where needed. The national strike on November 5 is still on.
What’s new since our last update
- Paris curfew: Paris police banned anyone from entering or staying in two areas from 11 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday: Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district. Gatherings and demonstrations there were also banned, according to an AP report carried by Fox 8.
- Other cities: ABC News reports curfews were also in force on Monday night in Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon. Hours and exact areas for those cities were not published in the reports we found (TBA).
- More may follow: Lecornu said new curfews “will be decided where the situation requires it.” Prefects decide them locally with mayors. Earlier, Marseille’s prefect banned all protests and gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, AP reported.
- Arrests and policing: Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 2,513 people had been taken into custody and about 60,000 police and security forces were deployed nationwide. Authorities estimate at least 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted.
- Events go ahead: Tuesday’s PSG–Barcelona Champions League match at Parc des Princes and Sunday’s NFL game at Stade de France were not called off, according to ABC7 and Fox 8.
Coming up
| Date | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Coming nights (dates TBA) | Possible new local curfews and protest bans | Prefects, with mayors |
| Tuesday, November 3 | Rail unions’ gathering in Saint-Denis during a pay meeting with SNCF management | SNCF rail unions |
| Thursday, November 5 | National strike day. Rail workers are called out; SNCF has not yet published service forecasts (usually issued about 5 p.m. the day before). RATP and air forecasts TBA. | CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, CFDT-Cheminots and other unions |
What it means for airline travelers
- Check curfew zones for your hotel. If you are staying near République or Les Halles in Paris, or in central Bordeaux, Nice or Lyon, check local police notices each day. You may not be allowed in or out of a curfew area at night.
- Plan late arrivals carefully. If you land late and need to reach a hotel in a curfew zone, have a backup hotel and allow extra time on the way in from CDG or Orly.
- Stay clear of protests. Leave any area where crowds are gathering. Expect heavy police presence in city centres.
- Avoid November 5 if you can. If you are flying standby into or out of France that week, aim to travel a day or two either side. Trains to and from the airports may be cut, and seats may tighten as ticketed passengers rebook.
- Register: Americans can enroll in STEP, and Canadians in Registration of Canadians Abroad, to get local alerts.
- Insurance: Losses from unrest that was already known when you bought cover are often excluded. Check the wording.
Sources
- ABC News — France protests cool after overnight curfews in Paris, major cities, PM says
- AP via Fox 8 — Paris police issue curfew for two areas of French capital days before Saints’ game
- AP via PBS NewsHour — French Prime Minister Lecornu calls for localized curfews in cities to curb rioting and looting
- ABC7 New York — France protests: Prime minister calls for localized curfews
- Infos Tourisme — SNCF strike of November 5, 2026: what is confirmed
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