Marseille bans protests, communal gatherings as France sees series of violent riots nationwide

The ban comes amid ongoing riots that erupted in cities across France as demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services spiraled out of control.

Protests and communal gatherings have been banned in Marseille between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, the Bouches-du-Rhône Police Prefecture announced in a social media post.

The ban comes amid ongoing riots that erupted in cities across France as demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services spiraled out of control, with some of the worst violence the country has witnessed in decades.

While hundreds of thousands protested peacefully in street marches in scores of cities, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted luxury boutiques and supermarkets, and attacked police vehicles and officers.

In Limoges, the city hall was set ablaze; in Marseille, black-clad protesters broke into city hall and defaced the building with anarchic graffiti; and in Lyon, protesters torched the city's tourist office.

Macron condemns 'shocking' scenes of violence across France

On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called the "dissenters" who looted and vandalized cities in "shocking" scenes across the country.

"Looking at these images, we have all asked ourselves: what was going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?" Macron said in a televised address to the nation. "Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it. Tonight, we all feel anger and shame."

European governments warn citizens over security in France after riots

Additionally, European governments advised citizens traveling to France to avoid large crowds and exercise caution, warning of a deterioration in security conditions after thousands were arrested and shops looted in protests over the weekend.

Demonstrations across France over high prices and declining public services erupted into riots on Saturday, with a town hall torched as violent groups clashed with police.

In response, the foreign ministries of several European countries issued fresh travel warnings.

Italy said its citizens should register their presence in France on a website or an app to enable them to be located, as it warned them to avoid large crowds and exercise extreme caution.

The German foreign ministry said further riots in the coming days couldn't be ruled out and urged German nationals to follow local police instructions. It warned citizens that they could face fines or claims for damages if they failed to leave unauthorized demonstrations when asked to do so.

Czechs in France are advised to avoid demonstrations, marches and public gatherings, CTK news agency reported. The security situation in France has deteriorated, according to the Czech foreign affairs ministry.

Poland said in its country guidance that visitors should avoid places where demonstrations are taking place, though it did not change its overall guidance on whether France is safe to visit.

The Dutch government in an advisory last updated on October 7 warned travelers to France to avoid protests.

Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway have issued advisories urging their citizens in France to avoid demonstrations and follow the guidance of local authorities.