Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister, has said called the so-called yellow vest protests are a "catastrophe" for France's economy.

Mr Le Maire made the comments while speaking to a number of reporters as he toured an upmarket area in central Paris on Sunday.

The neighbourhood had been heavily looted during unrest on Saturday night.

"It is a catastrophe for trade, it is a catastrophe for our economy," Mr Le Maire said.

The protests have disrupted the traditional Christmas shopping season, dealing a heavy blow to France's retail sector.

Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police detain protesters EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A car is set alight in the protests AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures The Arc de Triomphe is graffitied with the slogan: 'he yellow vests will triumph' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters barricade themselves on the Champs Elysees as police line the streets Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester fires at police with a slingshot AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds up a sign that reads 'your Europe ruins us' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester gestures amidst burning cars EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester runs amidst tear gas Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters on the Champs Elysees amidst tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters in yellow vests gather outside the town hall in Bordeaux EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees after the police deploy tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters stand by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police take formation AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A general view of the Champs Elysees in Paris today as protesters clash with police Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears a jacket reading 'Macron, thief, lier, crook, go away, the people banish you' AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters hold a French flag by a burning barricade AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a fire AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears an adapted yellow vest reading 'Macron's cemetery: here lies your buying power' AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a burning car AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police advance through tear gas followed closely by their water cannon EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Tear gas is deployed to deter the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag amidst tear gas AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas by the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds a sign asking for the reintroduction of ISF (an old French tax on wealth) AFP/Getty

"We must expect a new slowdown of economic growth at year-end due to the yellow vest protests," Mr Le Maire said, adding that the marches would have a "severe impact" on the economy.

On Saturday the anti-government protesters caused havoc in Paris where, as well as marching, some threw stones, torched cars and vandalised shops and restaurants.

Police officers turned tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets on some of the demonstrators.

Officials said that 135 people were injured on Saturday.

Popular tourist sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum did not open due to the protests.

Top Parisian department stores were also closed on what should have been a prime shopping weekend.

In mid-November experts said that the country's economy would need to grow at 0.8 per cent in the final three months of the year, to hit the government's 1.7 per cent annual growth forecast.

Protesters set fire to overturned cars in central Paris after police pushed them away from the Arc de Triomphe in violent clashes

The "gilets jaunes" protests began as a show of anger against a raise in fuel taxes but have grown to encompass general frustration about the rising cost of living in France.

Much of the rage is aimed at President Emmanuel Macron and his style of governing.

The French leader is seen by many as out of touch with ordinary people.

Mr Macron will address the country in a speech early next week, a government spokesperson said on Sunday.

Across Paris bank branch offices, toy shops, opticians and other retail outlets were covered with graffiti, much of which attacked the French president.

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"This chaos has to end," said Andre Juillard, a doctor, as he stood in line with other Parisians at a bakery near the Eiffel Tower.

"I don't know if Macron's resignation is necessary, but he must completely change course and increase wages and lower taxes," said Bertrand Cruzatier, a local who stood watching cleaners scrub out graffiti at the Place de la Republique.

Protesters had left a banner in the centre of the famous square.

Dangling from the bronze statue of Marianne, symbol of the French republic, it read: "Give back the money".