French authorities imposed partial curfews in parts of Paris and several other cities on Monday night after riots and looting erupted across the country over the weekend.

The measures targeted areas including Place de la République and the Les Halles district in Paris, where people were barred from the streets between 11 p.m. local time Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. Similar restrictions went into effect in cities such as Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lille, with some applying specifically to minors.

The unrest followed large-scale protests on October 17 against high living costs, inflation, and underinvestment in public services. Demonstrations turned violent in multiple locations, with reports of looting, arson, and clashes with police. Officials said more than 2,500 people were arrested nationwide, nearly 1,000 police officers were injured, and hundreds of businesses suffered damage.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged on Monday that police had not been prepared for the scale of the disorder and offered his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was rejected. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin described the events as an undeniable failure and cited shortcomings in intelligence gathering.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, after a crisis meeting, authorized local mayors to implement curfews where needed to protect property. He stated that a state of emergency remained an option if conditions worsened but described the targeted restrictions as more appropriate at this stage.

The violence occurred just months before France's presidential election and drew criticism of the Macron administration's handling of public order. Organizers of the protests have called for additional demonstrations this coming Saturday.