French court upholds curfew for minors in Coulaines, Sarthe

A French civil liberties association has failed to overturn a nighttime curfew imposed on minors in Coulaines, Sarthe, following urban violence. The administrative court in Nantes rejected the emergency appeal on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The curfew, in effect from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. until Thursday, October 22, applies to children under 16 in six sectors of the town. The mayor, Christophe Rouillon, implemented the measure after clashes on October 17, citing the need to protect children and prevent them from being drawn into violence. The association Vigie Liberté argued the curfew was a grave and illegal violation of constitutional freedom of movement. However, the court sided with the municipality, which noted it lacks a municipal police force and referenced the 2023 fire at its town hall following nationwide riots.