France deploys 70,000 police, shuts Paris museums ahead of protests

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin is scheduled to travel to Marseille on Wednesday to address the aftermath of violent riots that erupted in the city on October 17. His visit comes two days after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez met with Mayor Benoît Payan on Monday evening. During a separate trip to Lille, Darmanin called for an extremely firm penal response to the disturbances. Speaking on a television broadcast, he suggested that certain incidents could be classified as organized crime, potentially extending police custody periods to 72 hours. He described the proposed approach as ruthless toward those engaging in destruction. The unrest in Marseille, France’s second-largest city, was characterized by widespread vandalism and looting. Local authorities reported damage to municipal infrastructure, including the city hall and a municipal police station. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated that 500 commercial establishments were affected by the disorder, with 317 suffering direct losses through fire or theft. This assessment highlights the scale of economic disruption in the region following the initial outbreak of violence. These events form part of a broader wave of civil unrest sweeping across France. Protests originally sparked by concerns over the high cost of living escalated into severe disorder last week. Demonstrators engaged in arson, smashed shop windows, looted businesses, and clashed with law enforcement. The situation represented some of the most violent unrest in the country in recent years. More than 500,000 people reportedly took to the streets across France during the previous weekend. Approximately 3,000 shops across the nation were damaged or looted during these initial disturbances. In preparation for a new round of demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, French authorities have implemented extensive security measures. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. These forces are supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Elite police units are assigned to secure sensitive locations, such as city halls, in a highly mobile security operation. Nuñez warned that authorities would remain uncompromising with individuals involved in violence, citing legal consequences for those participating in riots. Cultural institutions in Paris have suspended operations to ensure safety. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Picasso Museum, and the Grand Palais are closed. The Culture Ministry stated that these closures are necessary to guarantee visitor safety, protect staff, and preserve artworks. A major exhibition of works by Paul Cézanne at the Grand Palais is also inaccessible to the public. Additionally, the Tuileries Gardens and the Arc de Triomphe are closed, with access restrictions applied to other key sites, including sections of the Champs-Elysées. The Art Basel Paris art fair, hosted at the Grand Palais, opened to the public on Friday but cancelled its entire weekend program due to security threats. Organizers cited the safety of participants as their primary concern. The fair features exhibitions from 211 international galleries. Collectors and gallery owners expressed understanding regarding the cancellations, noting the urgent social climate in France. Saloni Doshi, an art collector traveling from India, noted growing anxiety among visitors following the previous week’s fires and panic. Owners of the gallery exo exo described the decision to close as reasonable given the current circumstances. Security concerns extend beyond Paris. In Orléans, located about 110 kilometers south of the capital, a large demonstration is planned against the far right. Roughly 50 organizations, including labor unions, left-wing parties, and anti-racism groups, have called for the protest. This event coincides with the two-day congress of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party. Le Pen, who leads in opinion polls for the upcoming presidential election, accused left-wing groups of attempting to disrupt a democratic political gathering. However, she stated she had no security concerns, trusting the government’s protective measures. The regional prefect expects between 20,000 and 30,000 demonstrators in Orléans. Local authorities have banned specific rallies in several cities, including Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier. Trade unions have criticized these prohibitions, arguing they violate constitutional protections for freedom of expression. In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse a small group of protesters near a university faculty and police station. The demonstrators attempted to block a road in an area where protests were prohibited. Similar interventions occurred in Clermont-Ferrand. Shopkeepers in Paris and other major cities have taken preemptive defensive steps. Many have boarded up storefronts with wooden panels to deter looters. Near Place de la République, a known hotspot for previous clashes, banks and businesses are heavily fortified. Paris police prefect Patrice Faure initially advised shopkeepers to hire private security guards. He later clarified that the protection of business owners and their properties remains the responsibility of the state. Despite the heavy police presence, early clashes have already begun. In the Paris neighborhood of Bastille, retailers removed merchandise from shelves, and restaurants boarded up entrances. Police have made over 135 arrests in Paris so far. Authorities seized various items from protesters, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, improvised weapons, a katana, and airsoft guns. The total number of arrests nationwide reached 2,700 during the previous weekend’s unrest. President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings have hit historic lows, maintains that strict measures are required to protect urban centers, businesses, and public buildings. The crisis has intensified scrutiny of the government’s ability to maintain order. The combination of economic grievances, political polarization, and violent dissent creates a volatile environment ahead of the national elections. Security forces continue to monitor social media for calls to violence, which officials say are being amplified by radical elements. The focus remains on preventing a recurrence of the destructive scenes that marked the previous weekend.