France begins the week under curfews in several cities after a weekend of protests turned violent, and more demonstrations are planned for Saturday. In Bordeaux, a disputed street redesign in Caudéran is also drawing complaints from cyclists and residents.
City news
Cyclists and pedestrians say Caudéran’s new shared street does not work
In Bordeaux, avenue Louis-Barthou in the Caudéran district has been made two-way again and has lost its bus and bike lane. The street is meant to be a “zone de rencontre”, a shared space where the speed limit is 20 km/h and pedestrians have priority. The cycling association Vélo-Cité and local residents say these conditions are not being met at present, and they are considering a legal challenge to the decision.
Source: Rue89 Bordeaux
Strikes, protests and transport disruption
Prime Minister asks for partial curfews after weekend unrest
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked regional authorities to impose partial curfews in some cities as the government tries to restore order. Weekend protests over the cost of living and the state of education led to rioting and looting, and thousands of businesses were damaged. Anyone living in a large French city should expect local restrictions to change at short notice in the coming days.
Source: RFI
A second day of protests is called for Saturday 24 October
A second round of protests has been called across France for Saturday 24 October. The Local France sets out what is planned and asks whether the country is likely to see the same level of disorder as last weekend. This is worth reading before you plan travel, shopping or errands for that day.
Source: The Local France
Marseille introduces a curfew for minors
In Marseille, Mayor Benoît Payan has announced a curfew starting this Tuesday evening and lasting “for the coming days”. It applies to minors only. Families with teenagers in the city should check the details with the town hall.
Source: France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Bordeaux curfew for unaccompanied minors until 26 October
In Bordeaux, the préfecture of Gironde (the State’s representative in the département) announced on Monday a curfew for minors who are not accompanied by a legal guardian. It runs from 10pm to 7am, starting on Tuesday 20 October and ending on the morning of Monday 26 October. The measure follows incidents on the fringes of the 17 October protests.
Source: Rue89 Bordeaux
Paris curfews may be extended for another night
In Paris, the curfews put in place on Monday could be renewed on Tuesday evening. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said they had helped to keep things “calm” overnight. Residents should watch for official announcements during the day before making evening plans.
Source: France 3 Paris ÃŽle-de-France
What it means for foreign residents
- If you have children under 18 in Bordeaux, they cannot be out between 10pm and 7am without a legal guardian until the morning of 26 October (Rue89 Bordeaux).
- Families in Marseille should check how long the curfew for minors will last, since the mayor has only said it will run for the coming days (France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur).
- In Paris, check each day whether the curfews have been renewed before going out in the evening (France 3 Paris ÃŽle-de-France).
- Look at what is planned for Saturday 24 October before you travel or arrange appointments that day (The Local France).
France Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- Rue89 Bordeaux: Bordeaux invente la « zone de rencontre » où cyclistes et piétons craignent de s’aventurer, accessed 20 October 2026
- RFI: French PM calls for partial curfews after weekend of violence and looting, accessed 20 October 2026
- The Local France: Protests in France: What to expect on Saturday, October 24th, accessed 20 October 2026
- France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Benoît Payan annonce la mise en place d'un couvre-feu à Marseille pour les mineurs dès ce mardi soir, accessed 20 October 2026
- Rue89 Bordeaux: Un couvre-feu instauré pour les mineurs à Bordeaux jusqu’au 26 octobre, accessed 20 October 2026
- France 3 Paris Île-de-France: Violences du 17 octobre : vers de nouveaux couvre-feux à Paris mardi soir ?, accessed 20 October 2026
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