Violent anti-Government Yellow Vest protests continued in France today - despite a ban on street gatherings because of the killer coronavirus.

A crowd estimated at around 800 gathered in central Paris to call for an end to President Emmanuel Macron's administration.

By early afternoon fighting had broken out between elements of the crowd and CRS riot police, who fought back with tear gas and baton charges.

'There were 20 arrests for offences related to violent disorder,' said a spokesman the scene, in Boulevard Arago, close to Montparnasse station.

Violent anti-Government Yellow Vest protests continued in France today - despite a ban on street gatherings because of the killer coronavirus

Yellow Vests came to demonstrate in Paris in defiance of bans on street gatherings, March 14

A crowd estimated at around 800 gathered in central Paris to call for an end to President Emmanuel Macron's administration

By early afternoon fighting had broken out between elements of the crowd and CRS riot police, who fought back with tear gas and baton charges

A row of parked motorbikes being set ablaze by protesters (left and right), while marchers overwhelmed a street leading to the Ministry of Finance in Bercy

One video posted online showed a row of parked motorbikes being set ablaze by protesters, while marchers overwhelmed a street leading to the Ministry of Finance in Bercy.

It was the 70th Saturday in a row that the so-called Yellow Vests, who are named after their trademark fluorescent motoring jackets, have taken to the streets.

Today was also the first anniversary of infamous attacks on the Champs-Elysees in central Paris, when millions of pounds worth of damage was caused to public monuments, shops, restaurants and cafés.

They took place during Yellow Vest demonstrations, although groups like the Black Bloc anarchists had joined them.

Many Yellow Vests have called for a temporary halt to their protests because gatherings of more than 100 people are banned to fight the spread of Coronvirus.

Cars and scooters were targeted by Yellow Vest protesters in Paris, March 14

It was the 70th Saturday in a row that the so-called Yellow Vests, who are named after their trademark fluorescent motoring jackets, have taken to the streets

A row of parked motorbikes being set ablaze by protesters, while marchers overwhelmed a street leading to the Ministry of Finance in Bercy

Today was also the first anniversary of infamous attacks on the Champs-Elysees, when millions of pounds worth of damage was caused to public monuments, shops, restaurants and cafés

A row of parked motorbikes being set ablaze by protesters (left and right), while marchers overwhelmed a street leading to the Ministry of Finance in Bercy

There have been 3,661 cases in France, and 79 deaths, making it one of the worst hit countries in Europe.

This has led to the Government banning gatherings of more than 100 people, and closing schools and universities, along with sports stadiums and iconic tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum.

But a hard core of the protest movement view the publicity around the virus as being part of a capitalist plot aimed at collapsing financial markets so that speculators can buy cheap stock.

The independent Mr Macron came to power in 2017, pledging to shrink France's public services, and to make the private sector more competitive.

But the former merchant banker is now frequently referred to as the 'President of the Rich' who is mainly on the side of big business.