French Cities Implement Curfews for Minors Amid Rising Drug Violence

Mon Oct 20 2025 21:39:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

French authorities impose night-time curfews on youths under 16 to combat drug-related crime and violence.

In response to recent spikes in drug violence, several French cities have enacted night-time curfews for young people under 16. Nîmes is the latest to implement this measure to protect minors and curb tensions related to drug trafficking.

Authorities in France are taking decisive actions against escalating drug-related violence, as cities like Nîmes, Béziers, and Limoges enforce curfews aimed at safeguarding younger residents. Following a series of alarming incidents, including shootings and the discovery of a murdered teenager's body, Nîmes has introduced a night-time curfew prohibiting those under 16 from being out between 9 PM and 6 AM. Mayor Jean-Paul Fournier described the situation as "untenable," attributing a climate of fear to drug cartels.

Deputy mayor Richard Schieven insisted this measure aims not only to protect innocent minors but also to shield the many young children exploited by drug traffickers. Béziers has upheld a similar curfew for minors under 13 since last year, recently expanding it to under 15s in certain neighborhoods. Mayor Robert Ménard emphasized that being on the streets at such late hours only invites trouble for 10-year-olds.

Despite these curfews, Béziers remains a hotspot for violence, with groups of youths attacking police during the weekend. Limoges, too, has struggled with enforcement, as Mayor Émile Roger Lombertie voiced concerns about the ineffectiveness of the curfew amid escalating disturbances.

Record numbers of casualties highlight the urgent need for action; the Interior Ministry reported 110 deaths and over 300 injuries due to drug-related violence this year alone. In response, Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau have been vocal about the necessity of tackling the drug trade, recently passing legislation that includes establishing maximum-security prisons for drug lords and enhancing prosecutorial resources.

The surge in drug-related conflicts, fuelled by a backdrop of gang violence beyond the traditional territory of Marseille, has government officials scrambling to handle the situation, including a significant offensive mounted against drug traffickers. The alarming trend is underscored by a violent spring marked by arson and gun attacks at prisons, a desperate response from gangs against intensified government crackdowns.