France Braces for Another Weekend of Protests: Paris Extends Curfew as Business Owners Fear Riots

France is bracing for another weekend of protests. After violence erupted on the sidelines of last week's mobilisations, authorities have tightened restrictions, banned specific protests, and extended a partial curfew in parts of Paris until Monday.

Last week's events are the main reason for this weekend's anxiety. On October 17, rioting and looting swept through Paris and other French cities — violence on the sidelines of demonstrations that has been described as some of the worst urban violence in years. As a result, a massive security operation is being prepared for Saturday's planned protests.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that officials would mount a 'massive' security operation for the protests planned on Saturday, with troops reinforcing police. The shape of that preparation has been becoming clear since midweek.

The extension of the partial curfew in Paris is part of that tightening. The curfew will remain in place in parts of the city until Monday. Alongside it, authorities have banned specific protests and imposed further restrictions.

The government hopes the new curfews and restrictions will prevent a repeat of the damage. But after last week's experience, the political pressure is considerable too: restoring order while respecting the right to protest is now the authorities' central balancing act.

The anxiety is sharpest among business owners. Business owners across France fear that this weekend's protests could lead to riots, and they are preparing to minimise any potential damage.

The weekend is normally a crucial trading period for shops and businesses. After last week's rioting and looting, establishments now face pressure from both sides — preparing their premises for protection while deciding whether to stay open at all.

That the unrest is not confined to the streets is visible even in the sporting calendar. At the police's request, even a Paris Saint-Germain league match against Lyon had to be moved, with knock-on effects for the Ballon d'Or ceremony. The turmoil is leaving its mark across many areas of life in the capital.

The authorities' position is clear: through bans on specific protests, an extended curfew and a show of force, they want to send an advance message this time. On the other side, protesters' plans to take to the streets this weekend also remain in place, leaving a tense standoff.

After violence spread alongside last week's demonstrations, prevention is the main goal of this weekend's preparations. The decision to deploy troops to reinforce police points the same way — the authorities do not want to take any chances this time.

All eyes now turn to Saturday. How effective the curfew and bans prove to be, and whether the protests stay peaceful or slide into violence again, will decide which way this unsettled chapter for France turns next.