Students barricaded the entrance to the Louvre in central Paris on Monday, surprising tourists and forcing thousands to abandon plans to see the Mona Lisa and other exhibits. The protest came a year after thieves stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels from the museum, reportedly valued at about €88 million.
The action is part of a month-long student movement demanding increased cultural spending, but it follows a weekend escalation in which rioters stormed streets, looted stores and set fire to buildings, cars and other property.
President Macron admitted there were failings in the police response to Saturday night's unrest. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ruled out a blanket curfew in Paris but authorised restrictions in specific locations, including the Place de la Republique and the Les Halles shopping precinct, both hit by looting. The curfew runs from 11pm Monday to 6am Tuesday.
In Nice, Mayor Eric Ciotti announced a curfew for young people from 9pm to 6am for the rest of the week. The Alpes-Maritimes region also banned fireworks, flammable substances, and ski goggles or similar gear used to conceal faces.
Students argue their rallies are entirely separate from the violence. Inaya Plieu, a student at the Louvre barricade, told this masthead: "The media is showing only the violence, only the breakers, only the bad things. But on Saturday there was a lot of really peaceful people. The problem is that our government right now is not allowing us to open a dialogue. We don't support the breakers. We don't support the destroying of buildings, of anything."
Some tourists at the Louvre chanted at the students in frustration, calling on them to allow entry. Students responded that the protest aimed to increase funding for the museum, saying entry fees were insufficient to maintain the heritage collections.
Cities and towns across France have adopted different approaches to keep the peace following the weekend's violence, which has deepened public debate about the demonstrations.