Paris ground to a halt on Friday as the biggest transport strike for 12 years was held in protest at French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms.

A Black Friday of stoppages saw 10 of the French capital’s 16 underground Metro lines shut completely, while the others were operating on a limited service during rush hours only.

This led to dangerous overcrowding on platforms and inside the few trains that actually ran.

“It’s absolute chaos,” said Kalyn Antoun, a commuter who was trying to reach La Défense business district from the Gare du Nord shortly after 9am.

“Many people, including tourists, don’t know there’s a strike on, so the crowds are frightening. Nobody should have to put up with this.”

Suburban rail services were also badly affected, as some 170 miles worth of traffic jams were reported in the greater Paris region – more than double the number for a normal Friday.

Protesters carrying the flags of major trade unions including the CGT (General Confederation of Labour) also rallied around the headquarters of Paris transport operator RATP.

Other public sector workers are planning to join in the strikes and demonstrations next week, heralding an autumn of misery for Mr Macron.

He has announced plans for a universal pension that would replace the current system of multiple types of retirement plans for different trades and professions.