France, Oct. 19 -- "I am absolutely determined to restore order," Lecornu said after an emergency meeting with senior government officials on Monday.

He said a state of emergency remained an option but that curfews were better suited to the situation.

"A state of emergency is still a very serious measure," he said. "So if it is necessary, of course we could do it. As things stand, however, the issue of curfews, and the implementation of those curfews, seems better suited to the situation we may be facing."

However, he ruled out a blanket curfew in Paris.

In Marseille, France's second-largest city, authorities banned demonstrations and public gatherings between noon and 8pm on Monday.

The city's police prefecture said more than 30,000...