After 17 October: curfew announced for minors in Marseille, ultra-right walk in Lyon

Following the violence on the sidelines of the 17 October 2026 protests against expensive living, the government is continuing the deployment of local curfews. Progress, BFMTV and Ouest-France report this response to looting and degradation, while judicial investigations continue. Depending on the city, these restrictions apply to certain neighbourhoods or only to minors: they do not constitute a general ban on leaving the country. [S1] [S19] [S22]

In Marseille, a restriction announced in certain sectors

According to BFMTV, which cites a source close to the file and confirms information from Figaro, a curfew for minors is due to come into effect Tuesday, 20 October in Marseille, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., every night until Friday. It would target certain areas around shopping centres, not the whole town. Other towns in Bouches-du-Rhône are also concerned. The available elements do not specify all the streets covered or any derogations. [S23]

In Bordeaux, BFMTV reports a more precisely defined measure: minors without a legal representative cannot travel between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. in several shopping streets, including Sainte-Catherine and Porte-Dijeaux streets. The channel indicates an application from 20 October until 26 October in the morning. This prohibition therefore depends on age, accompaniment and location, without being conditioned by personal involvement in violence. [S5]

Sébastien Lecornu says that the first curfews "contributed to calm" and announced new prefectural decisions, in connection with the mayors. This is the Prime Minister's assessment: the information consulted does not make it possible to isolate the effect of the prohibitions from that of police reinforcements. Ouest-France reports the reservations of Marine Tondelier and the appeal of the mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, to maintain the exceptional character of these measures. [S19] [S23]

In Lyon, distinguish the rally and the ultra-right walk

Le Figaro reports that a rally of support to the merchants was held Monday night Place Bellecour, despite a ban on protest. The organizers claimed 500 participants. Presented as non-political, however, it included a banner calling for the resignation of Mayor Grégory Doucet, according to the findings of a daily AFP journalist. [S30]

A group of a few dozen people, some of whom had participated in the rally, then walked through the streets. The Figaro describes nationalist slogans and a tricolor flag with a Celtic cross, symbol of ultra-rightous groups. The prefecture reports that some of the participants left by Victor-Hugo Street before dispersing outside the curfew perimeter. These elements do not make it possible to assimilate all participants to the initial gathering at this march. [S30]

Limoges: an arrest, not an established guilt

In the investigation into the fire of the town hall of Limoges, a man was arrested on Tuesday in Val-d Franceinfo, BFMTV and AFP, taken over by Le Matin, converge on this arrest. There is still a discrepancy over age: franceinfo and AFP indicate 40 years, while BFMTV mentions 34 years. His alleged membership in the ultra-left and his S file are reported from police sources or close to the file; They don't show his involvement in the fire. [S6] [S15] [S28]

The Counter-Terrorism Sub-Directorate is co-owned, but the National Counter-Terrorism Prosecutorate remains in observation, according to franceinfo. BFMTV states that the service is involved in the fight against violent extremism. The assistance of specialized investigators should therefore not be confused with an acquired terrorist qualification. The evidence made public does not detail the personal actions of the suspect. [S6] [S28]

Protecting people, establishing responsibilities

The fire caused the roof and belfry of the town hall to collapse. The State has promised to contribute to its reconstruction, without any cost or timetable specified in available sources. For looted businesses, Progress also announces a 100% state-owned partial activity scheme and a government promised support fund. [S1] [S15]

In its statement of 18 October, the Association of Mayors of France called for more means of intervention and sanctions against the perpetrators. It also stresses that violence has undermined the freedom of expression and demonstration of peaceful participants. Protecting people and businesses, preserving these freedoms and establishing individual responsibilities are therefore complementary requirements, rather than objectives. [S29]