Visitors to Paris are being advised to plan around evening curfews and station closures after protests over the cost of living turned violent across France. Most of the city's main sights remain open, but some central transport hubs have been closing at night. For the political background, see our report on what is happening in France.
What has happened
On Saturday, 17 October 2026, protests over the cost of living, fuel prices and students' conditions turned into looting and arson in several cities, and more than 2,500 people were arrested, according to Al Jazeera and the travel magazine Afar. Turnout estimates vary, from more than half a million people (Al Jazeera) to about 800,000 (Le Monde, cited by Afar).
Curfews and closures in Paris
- Curfew: 11pm to 6am, covering only the areas around Place de la République and Les Halles, according to Afar.
- Stations closed from 10pm at police request: République, Châtelet, Les Halles and Châtelet–Les Halles. RER lines A, B and D did not stop at Châtelet–Les Halles, according to Sortiraparis. Afar reported that closures could continue through Friday 23 October.
- Airport line: RER B, which links central Paris to Charles de Gaulle airport, was disrupted in the evening between Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame and Charles de Gaulle 2.
- Stations reopened at 6am on Thursday 22 October, according to Sortiraparis.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said new curfews would be imposed "where necessary", decided by local prefects with mayors, so rules can change at short notice.
Sights and trains
A protest briefly blockaded the Louvre on 19 October, but the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur were unaffected, Afar reported. Eurostar, SNCF and Trenitalia trains were running normally. "It was perfectly fine," tour guide Lily Heise told Afar about Montmartre during the protests, advising visitors not to cancel.
Travel tips
- Check the RATP app every evening for station closures.
- Avoid announced march routes and large gatherings.
- Allow extra time for airport journeys, especially late at night, and consider a taxi if RER B is disrupted.
- Check your government's travel advice. Australia's Smartraveller advises "a high degree of caution" in France.
- Check your travel insurance: Allianz notes policies generally do not cover events already known when the policy was bought.
Dates to watch
Further protests are possible on 24 and 31 October, and a major SNCF rail strike is expected on 5 November, according to Afar. If you are travelling on those dates, have a backup plan.
