Paris police imposed an overnight curfew on Monday in two areas of the capital, after a weekend of some of France’s worst rioting in years.

People may not enter or stay in Place de la Republique or the Les Halles shopping district from 11pm until 6am on Tuesday. Gatherings and demonstrations are barred from 8pm.

On Monday evening, police guarded the two spots and asked passers-by to take other routes.

Some people had their identity papers checked. A helicopter with a searchlight passed over Les Halles several times, and the streets stayed quiet.

The prime minister had earlier asked prefects to impose ‘very limited’ and ‘localized’ curfews to prevent more looting.