One of the biggest public sector strikes to hit France in decades looks set to continue after the French government stood by its plans to introduce controversial pension reforms.

Nationwide action on Thursday paralysed transport links in the country, while schools, hospitals and postal services also faced severe disruption.

More than 200 demonstrations took place across the country, with extensive security checks taking place in Paris. Before the protests even began on Thursday morning, police had detained around 65 people in the French capital.

Later in the day, riot police fired teargas at protestors, while businesses, cafes and restaurants along march routes were urged to close.

Popular tourist attractions were also shut down due to staff shortages, including the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay and the Palace of Versailles.

France strikes bring country to a standstill Show all 6 1 /6 France strikes bring country to a standstill France strikes bring country to a standstill Stations closed Metro stations in Paris closed amid nationwide strikes Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Transport paralysed Rail operator SNCF cancelled 90 per cent of all high-speed trains across France Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Nationwide protests People protest against the pension overhauls, in Perpignan, southern France, on 5 December, 2019 as part of a national general strike AFP/Getty France strikes bring country to a standstill Public services walkout Firefighters in Marseille lay on the ground as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Protesters take to streets A man wearing a clown mask and waving a smoke bomb takes part in a demonstration protesting against pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Getty

Despite the disruption, President Emmanuel Macron stood by the proposed pension reforms, which were a key promise of his election campaign in 2017.

Under the reforms, 42 different pension schemes would be replaced by a single unified system designed to revitalise the country’s economy.

Those in opposition say the universal pension is an attack on workers’ rights and would mean people have to work longer for less.

There is no set end to the strike and some predict it could last until at least Christmas. Similar nationwide strikes in 1995 eventually resulted in the government capitulating to the unions’ key demands.

Union official Christian Grolier of the Force Ouvrière (Workers’ Force) said: “What we’ve got to do is shut the economy down. People are spoiling for a fight.”

A presidential official said Mr Macron “is convinced that the reform is needed, he is committed to the project he presented to the French public in 2017”.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is expected to lay out the framework for the reform next week.