BRITISH tourists were caught up in mob violence yesterday, as protesters filled the streets of Paris and clashed with police during marches against rising fuel prices.

Water cannons and rounds of teargas were used by riot cops against thousands of French "Yellow Vest" fuel protesters today as the Champs Elysee was reduced to a battlefield.

17 Violence has erupted on the streets of Paris as protesters march against rising fuel prices Credit: AFP or licensors

The worst violence took place on the most famous avenue in the city where a huge crowd called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

The unrest has erupted over spiking fuel prices in the country and is pilling pressure on the government.

A police officer at the scene said: "They included hooded demonstrators who were determined to cause trouble.

"We’ve been forced to deploy a water cannon and use tear gas to stop them getting to a secure zone.

"They’re breaking up traffic obstacles to create missiles to throw at us. It’s getting very violent."

17 Riot cops have been deployed on the streets of the capital to quell the unrest Credit: Reuters

The zone included the Elysee Palace – Mr Macron’s official home – and the Place de la Concorde, opposite the National Assembly, France’s parliament.

The Yellow Vests – gilets jaunes in French – are named after the high visibility jackets they wear.

They have been conducting a grassroots campaign against escalating petrol and diesel prices.

Senior French ministers have slammed the ‘radicalisation’ and ‘anarchy’ involved, claiming far-Right and hard-Left elements have hijacked the protests.

Two road deaths have been linked with the protests so far – both at illegal road blocks set up by the Yellow Vests.

There have also been 553 woundings, 17 of them serious.

More than 95 police have been hurt in a variety of disturbances, including an attempt to storm the Elysee Palace last weekend.

17 A protester waves a tricolour from a traffic light as violence erupts on the streets Credit: Reuters

17 A protester wearing yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher fuel prices, burns flare on the the Champs-Elysee Credit: Reuters

17 Furniture was piled up to form a barricade as the protests turned ugly in the French capital Credit: AFP or licensors

17 Tear gas shrouded the Arc de Triomphe as battle hit the streets of Paris Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Around 3,000 police are on the streets of the capital to cope with the violence Credit: Reuters

17 Water cannons were used on the protesters as the demonstrations strayed into their second week Credit: AFP or licensors

17 A fire rages as men wearing yellow vests protest against rising fuel prices on the Champs-Elysees Credit: AFP or licensors

17 Protesters stands in front of a fire during a protest in Paris Credit: AFP or licensors

17 Police tried to push back the protesters, at times beating back demonstrators with baton strikes and dragging them away. Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Protesters burned large plywood sheets and other material in the middle of several streets in central Paris, sending up large columns of smoke. Credit: Getty - Contributor

17 Marine Le Pen, the head of the National Assembly party, called on protesters to head to the Champs-Elysees earlier this week despite authorities banning all demonstrations on the avenue. Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has accused the far right of encouraging acts of violence and clashes with police in Paris. Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Flames raged by the Arc de Triomphe during the violent clashes Credit: Getty - Contributor

17 Two people have been killed and hundreds injured in the week of protests. Credit: Reuters

17 Five thousand protesters flooded the Champs-Elysees alone, with 23,000 protesters in total nationwide, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. Credit: AFP or licensors

Some 3,000 police were on the streets of central Paris today, where the protesters pledged to bring the city to a standstill.

By 11am, clouds of tear gas covered the Champs Elysee and especially the area close to the place de la Concorde.

Running battles were taking place between mobile squads of CRS police, and the demonstrators, as objects were thrown between the two.

The Champ de Mars - the field next to the Eiffel Tower – had been set aside by the Paris authorities for the demonstration, but it was ignored by the protestors.

‘We’re not here to do what officials tell us,’ said Max Lefevre, a 22-year-old student taking part in the demonstrations.

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‘We’re here to oppose a government that is completely out of touch with the lives of ordinary people. This is a people’s revolt.’

Mr Macron has insisted that fuel prices have to rise in line with green initiatives made necessary by the Paris Climate Change agreement.

He said there would be ‘no possiblity’ of his government backing down in the face of disturbances.

Taxes on diesel have gone up 7 cents and are to keep climbing in the coming years, Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne has said.

The tax on petrol is to increase 4 cents with the fuel currently costing about 1.64 euros (£1.45) a litre in Paris, slightly more than diesel.