Protests Banned for 12 Hours in Paris: Restrictions Will Affect the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and Bastille Square

In Paris, on Thursday, October 22, the holding of protests will be temporarily banned in several central areas of the city. The corresponding decision was announced by the French police on Wednesday. The restrictions will be in effect from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time — from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Latvian time. ### Where Protests Will Be Banned The ban will extend to several of the most famous locations in the French capital, including the area near the Élysée Palace, which is the residence of President Emmanuel Macron. Protests will also be prohibited near both houses of parliament, the Louvre, and on the Champs-Élysées. Additionally, the restrictions will affect Bastille Square, Republic Square, and the shopping district of Châtelet – Les Halles. It was in the Châtelet – Les Halles area that stores were looted during the riots last weekend. ### Authorities Acknowledge Loss of Control Over the Situation The decision to temporarily ban protests was made after a surge of street violence that occurred in France last weekend, as reported by [bb.lv](https://bb.lv/statja/v-mire/2026/10/21/vo-francii-marodery-razgrabili-bolee-2000-magazinov). Young people in masks clashed with police, looted stores, and vandalized public buildings. The French government acknowledged that it "lost control" over the situation during the riots. The ongoing crisis has damaged France's international image and caused turmoil in financial markets. Moreover, there are about six months left until the presidential elections in the country. ### Macron Blames Trump for Exploiting the Riots Amidst the events, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized his American counterpart Donald Trump. According to Macron, Trump is trying to exploit the riots in France for political gain in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The French president also accused foreign leaders of attempting to use the internal crisis in France for their own interests.