France's Protest Crisis Deepens: Museums Shut, Demonstrations Banned Across Cities

France is preparing for another major day of demonstrations on Saturday, October 24, as authorities tighten security and impose restrictions following some of the country's most serious unrest in years.

The Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay and Picasso Museum are among the major cultural institutions set to close on Saturday amid fears of renewed violence. The Grand Palais will also be affected, while Art Basel Paris has cancelled its weekend programme.

Authorities are planning a massive security operation, deploying 20 per cent more personnel than during the October 17 demonstrations. The unrest has involved clashes between protesters and police, looting and arson across Paris and other French cities.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said around 2,700 people had been taken into police custody, with 217 placed in detention following the violence. Night-time curfews and other restrictions remain in force in parts of Paris.

However, the restrictions have triggered a debate over the right to protest. An administrative court overturned a police ban on a Paris demonstration on Thursday, October 22, allowing thousands to gather peacefully under heavy police presence.

For Saturday, authorities have approved a CGT trade union march from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation, while a separate rally planned by student activists and Yellow Vest supporters towards Place de l’Opéra has been banned. Restrictions have also been announced in several other cities.

The protests began last month at a high school in Créteil over staff shortages before spreading nationwide. Students have highlighted underfunded schools and deteriorating facilities, while the movement has expanded to include anger over rising living costs and public services.

President Emmanuel Macron has blamed radical far-left groups and criminals for the violence, saying restrictions are necessary to protect people and property. Critics warn that sweeping bans could undermine France's constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Trade unions are also planning another day of action on November 5, after talks with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu failed to produce concrete proposals.