French "yellow vest" demonstrators began their 19th consecutive weekend of protests against president Emmanuel Macron's government on Saturday as military units were deployed to help police clamp down on any trouble.

Protesters were banned from gathering on the Champs Elysees in Paris after shops and businesses on the avenue were looted and wrecked last weekend, leading the government to call in "Operation Sentinelle" army units for this weekend.

Demonstrators began marching in the capital on Saturday along a new route taking them from Denfert Rochereau in southern Paris with the aim of finishing by Barbes, near the Sacre Coeur church in northern Paris.

Named after the high-visibility vests French drivers have to keep in their cars and worn by protesters, the demonstrations began in November after public anger against fuel tax rises.

The movement has morphed into a broader backlash against Mr Macron's government, despite it scrapping the fuel taxes, and it has often been marred by violent clashes and looting.

Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Show all 20 1 /20 Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A Yellow Vest protester dressed as a Gaul takes part in an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris, on March 23, 2019. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A protester holds a placard reads in French ''Empire expires'' during a rally in Paris, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Yellow vest demonstrators gathered in Paris and other French cities for a 19th round of demonstrations as authorities issued bans on protests in certain areas and enhanced security measures in an effort to avoid a repeat of last week's riots in the capital. AP Photo/Michel Euler Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Yellow Vest protesters hold a banner reading 'RIC (Citizen's Initiated Referendum)' during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris, on March 23, 2019. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A Yellow Vest protester holds a placard reading 'my loved ones, dad protests to change your country', on Denfert Rochereau Square in Paris on March 23, 2019, during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A woman holds her pet dog as French anti-riot police officers evacuate people during an anti-government demonstration called by the "Yellow Vests" (Gilets jaunes) movement near Garibaldi Square in Nice, southeastern France, on March 23, 2019. - Thousands of police fanned out across central Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Dijon, Rennes and Nice, on March 23, 2019 as 'Yellow vest' demonstrators are expected to hit French city streets again for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies. VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A protester wearing a yellow vest holds a placard reading 'the King is naked' in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 23, 2019, during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A protester from the 'Gilets Jaunes' (Yellow Vests) wears a yellow vest reading 'Macron, do you feel the quenelle?' (gesture popularized by French activist Dieudonne M'bala M'bala evoking fisting practice) on the Esplanade du Trocadero during the 'Act XIX' demonstration (the 19th consecutive national protest on a Saturday) in Paris, France, 23 March 2019. To prevent a repeat of the last week riots, French authorities have banned demonstrations in a large area in the west of Paris, including the Champs-Elysees. Yellow vest organizers called on social media for protests in different places in Paris, including the Trocadero square. EPA Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Yellow Vest protesters hold a banner reading 'unemployment rights for all', on Denfert Rochereau Square in Paris on March 23, 2019, during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Yellow Vest protesters gather on Denfert Rochereau Square in Paris on March 23, 2019, during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A yellow vest protester holds a placard reading 'democracy? not a chance' during an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris, on March 23, 2019. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A protester waves a coloured flag during a protest by the anti-government "Yellow Vests" (Gilets jaunes) movement in the city of Nice, southeastern France, on March 23, 2019. - Thousands of police fanned out across central Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Dijon, Rennes and Nice, on March 23, 2019 as 'Yellow vest' demonstrators are expected to hit French city streets again for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies. VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Yellow Vest protesters take part in an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris, on March 23, 2019. - Demonstrators hit French city streets again on March 23, for a 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest against the French President's policies and his top-down style of governing, high cost of living, government tax reforms and for more "social and economic justice." KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A man holds a placard as people attend the 19th week of Yellow vest demonstrations in Paris, France on March 23, 2019. Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 People attend the 19th week of Yellow vest demonstrations as security forces stand guard in Paris, France on March 23, 2019. Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 This picture taken early on March 2019, shows French police vehicles parked along the Champs-Elysees avenue in the French capital Paris in readiness for "Yellow vest" (Gilets jaunes) anti-governemnt demonstrators on the 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest. - Paris police have banned the protesters from a large area in the west of the city, including the famed Champs-Elysees avenue (which leads to the Arc de Triomphe), scene of last week's rampage by hundreds of anarchists, as well as the presidential palace and National Assembly. FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 Newly appointed Paris police Prefect Didier Lallement (C) speaks with police officers as he visits the Champs-Elysees avenue early on March 23, 2019 in the French capital Paris in readiness for "Yellow vest" (Gilets jaunes) anti-governemnt demonstrators on the 19th consecutive week of nationwide protest. - Paris police have banned the protesters from a large area in the west of the city, including the famed Champs-Elysees avenue (which leads to the Arc de Triomphe), scene of last week's rampage by hundreds of anarchists, as well as the presidential palace and National Assembly. FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 People attend the 19th week of Yellow vest demonstrations as they march in Paris, France on March 23, 2019. Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 People attend the 19th week of Yellow vest demonstrations as they march in Paris, France on March 23, 2019. Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A man holds a placard during the 19th week of Yellow vest demonstrations in Paris, France on March 23, 2019. Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Yellow Vests Protest France March 2019 A protester from the 'Gilets Jaunes' (Yellow Vests) stands on the Esplanade du Trocadero, facing the Eiffel Tower during the 'Act XIX' demonstration (the 19th consecutive national protest on a Saturday) in Paris, France, 23 March 2019. To prevent a repeat of the last week riots, French authorities have banned demonstrations in a large area in the west of Paris, including the Champs-Elysees. Yellow vest organizers called on social media for protests in different places in Paris, including the Trocadero square. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON