Lecornu says targeted curfews helped keep France calm overnight as restrictions take effect in three cities ahead of Oct. 24 protests

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said targeted curfews helped maintain calm overnight Monday, as authorities extended restrictions in several cities ahead of further protests scheduled for Saturday. In a post on X, he said new curfews would be imposed on Tuesday evening wherever necessary.

Paris police announced a curfew in certain neighborhoods from 11 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. In Marseille, restrictions will run from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday and be enforced nightly through Friday, BFM TV reported, citing local authorities. A similar curfew will be enforced in Lyon.

Addressing the National Assembly, Lecornu said police deployments for demonstrations planned for Saturday would be “massive.” He also acknowledged shortcomings in security arrangements during the previous weekend’s unrest.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that soldiers from the French army’s Operation Sentinelle would be deployed to help prevent violence during the demonstrations announced for Oct. 24.