FRENCH police chiefs today called for a State of Emergency to be declared and for the Army to take to the streets following the worst rioting in Paris in 50 years.

The Arc de Triomphe was among hundreds of buildings attacked by anti-government ‘Yellow Vest’ fuel price protesters on Saturday — who said their actions were "the start of a revolution".

49 Burnt out cars line the streets of Paris in the aftermath of yesterday's violence Credit: AFP or licensors

'Yellow Vest' protesters loot DIOR in Paris riots as violence escalates in the French capital

Frederic Lagache, of the Alliance police union, called for a state of emergency to be called and for "army reinforcements" to guard national monuments.

He said: "We are in an insurrectional climate."

The move would give more powers to the security forces, ranging from stop-and-searches to carrying out raids on the homes of suspected rioters.

Graffiti was daubed on the famous landmark calling for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation ahead of his tour through the scenes of destruction.

49 The charred wreckage of a car set alight during the chaotic violence yesterday Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 The remains of a burnt out car on Foch Avenue Credit: Getty - Contributor

Burnt out cars also littered the streets of the French capital.

Inspecting the graffiti-covered monument after he returned from the G20 summit Macron was booed by protesters after more than 12 hours of violence in the French capital.

After seeing the devastation for himself Macron then headed a crisis meeting over what is thought to be the worst rioting in France since the civil unrest in 1968.

There were more than 400 arrests and up to a 130 serious injuries - including 23 police officers.

Reports have indicated the CRS, the French riot police, used "grenades" to gain control of the Parisian streets and stop the protesters.

49 President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with a firefighter during a visit in the streets of Paris today Credit: AFP or licensors

Others wanted the army brought in to suppress the violence.

Looters and thugs wearing masks and carrying clubs and axes rampaged through luxury boutiques, chemists and supermarkets.

49 President Macron flanked by ministers and police chiefs survey the scenes of destruction in Paris Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Clean-up work began today. Graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe called for President Macron to resign Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 A dog-walker checks the burnt-out wreckage of a car in Paris Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 A battered shop was protected by make-shift barricades Credit: Reuters

49 A smashed bus top in central Paris this morning Credit: Reuters

49 Cleanup operations continue under the message, ' The Yellow Vests will Triumph' written on the Arc de Triomphe Credit: Reuters

49 A cyclist rides by graffiti that says 'Macron equal to Louis 16' Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 An anarchist symbol appeared on a wall near the Madeleine Church Credit: EPA

49 The graffiti says: 'The People want the fall of the system' Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 Workers clean up the graffiti scrawled on the Arc de Triomphe Credit: Reuters

49 Graffiti appeared on the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris Credit: Reuters

The police responded with water canon, tear gas and bloody baton charges.

"We are in an insurrectional climate," said Frederic Lagache, of the Alliance police union, which called for the State of Emergency.

It would allow extra powers to the forces of law and order, ranging from stop-and-searches to carrying out raids on the homes of suspected rioters.

Mr Lagache said "army reinforcements" should be brought in to guard public monuments, freeing up the police to deal with other trouble spots.

France last brought in a State of Emergency in 2015, following terrorist attacks by Islamic State, and it lasted until November 2017.

"Nothing is a taboo," said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

"We are studying all the procedures that would allow us to be more secure. I’m prepared to look at everything."

49 Cars are set alight in a flaming barricade across a central Parisian avenue last night amid the worse rioting in the capital in 50 years Credit: Getty - Contributor

49 An injured woman pleads with police as she is caught up in the violence in Paris Credit: Getty - Contributor

49 Protesters made makeshift barriers and shields as they charged police lines Credit: Getty - Contributor

49 An anarchist protester takes in the scene of destruction in Paris Credit: Getty Images - Getty

An Emergency was declared in November 2005 following widespread rioting on housing all over France.

The current spate of violence – which has also spread to other towns and cities – is considered the worst since the Spring of 1968, when Paris was also reduced to a warzone, and President Charles De Gaulle feared a full-scale revolution.

Workmen began the job of clearing up today with walls being scrubbed of graffiti and burned-out cars removed.

Shop windows were also being replaced.

A government spokesman said it was "out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence" after a second consecutive Saturday of trouble.

Events on Saturday started as early as 10am when a mob of Yellow Vests – named after the reflective jackets that all motorists have to carry in France – massed around the Arc de Triomphe.

Chilling images showed officers being beaten by attackers as other police were covered in yellow paint.

Statutes inside the historic monument were smashed, and political slogans sprayed on its walls.

49 Smoke rises from the historic streets of Paris yesterday amid the worst rioting in half a century Credit: Getty - Contributor

49 A protester wearing a yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, holds a French flag Credit: Reuters

49 Thousands of protesters gathered in central Paris to smash up shops and clash with cops Credit: Reuters

49 Tear gas is tossed during pitched battles between riot cops and masked thugs in the heart of Paris Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Firefighters tackle a blazing car last night Credit: Reuters

Sixteen identity check points and police barricades had been set up on the Champs Elysees for the first time in its history in an attempt to avoid rioting — but the measures were a complete failure.

December 1 was one of the most important trade days of the year as hundreds of business wanted to welcome Christmas shoppers.

They included many Britons – the biggest visitor group to Paris – but most stayed away as the violence intensified.

There were 4,000 police on duty in central Paris – a thousand more than last week – and areas around the Elysee Palace, the office home of President Macron were in lock down.

The Yellow Vests have called for an end to escalating petrol and diesel prices, but it has become a wider anti-establishment movement.

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

Speaking from the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, he said there would be "no possibility" of his government backing down in the face of disturbances.

49 Emmanuel Macron said there was no chance of his government conceding to the demands of violent protesters Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Firefighters extinguish cars torched by protesters in the streets of Paris last night as the French capital was torched by rioters Credit: Reuters

49 A yellow vest protester stands in front of burning cars Credit: Getty - Contributor

During the most violent scenes last night, the Champs Elysees was blocked off after masked campaigners snatched an assault rifle from a riot police vehicle.

At least 19 metro stations in the French capital were closed as violent clashes between protesters and cops continued.

Fires and plumes of tear gas engulfed the city after more than 5,000 demonstrators brought chaos to its streets for the second week running.

Masked and hooded protesters smashed into businesses, including a Chanel shop and bars and cafes that had been locked up for the day.

49 Demonstrators clash with police near burning barricades in Marseille Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 Riot police surround the Arc de Triomphe as violence escalated in the French capital Credit: EPA

49 Police arrest a man outside La Belle Armee restaurant, which was ransacked Credit: AFP or licensors

49 People take photographs of a shop after its windows were smashed in by protesters Credit: Reuters

49 Debris burns during the protests, which turned Paris into a warzone Credit: AFP or licensors

France's Macron says nothing can justify the violence in Paris as 'Yellow Vest' protests escalate in the French capital

A fire was started by the Jeu de Paume art gallery and scores of cars were torched.

Close to the Ritz Hotel - and in the avenues off the Arc de Trimphe, where several foreign embassies are based - violent protesters ran riot, setting a police van on fire and overturning cars.

By 10pm last night, there had been 287 arrests for serious offences, from violent disorder to theft, according to Le Figaro.

And at least 100 people, including 14 police officers, were seriously injured in the riots.

Earlier, fired-up demonstrators piled up large planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe before torching the debris.

49 The restaurant that was smashed into during the protests Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Burned cars are seen in a street near the Place de l'Etoile during clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests Credit: Reuters

49 A demonstrator extinguishes a fire amid the protests Credit: AFP or licensors

Some people scaled the 19th century arch, and at one point hundreds sat beneath it shouting, "Macron resign."

Shocking footage also showed protesters surrounding and beating a police officer at the famous monument.

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to push back mobs of protesters - said to contain right and left wing extremists.

Some demonstrators - fired up by the rising fuel prices in the country - responded by throwing large rocks at officers.

Others removed the barriers around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem.

There were more than 100 arrests around the historic arch as baton charges were used to hold back around 1,500 demonstrators.

Riot police fire tear gas and use water cannons in Paris as 'yellow vest' protesters return to Champs Elysees

49 Violent clashes spread across Paris last night Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 The violent clashes have took place near the Arc de Triomphe Credit: Reuters

49 Rioters overturn a car during a protest of Yellow vests Credit: AFP or licensors

49 A riot cop watched the rioters as he aims his smoke grenade gun Credit: AFP or licensors Gregory Joron, of the SGP police union said: "It is people’s right to demonstrate, but extremist groups have already joined in. "Groups intent on trouble are appearing from all directions. They include those from the extreme right and the ultra-Left." President Macron said those who attacked police and vandalized the Arc de Triomphe will be "held responsible for their acts." He added: "(Violence) has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of a legitimate anger" and "no cause justifies" attacks on police or pillaging stores and burning buildings He refused to answer any questions from journalists about the situation in Paris.

49 A demonstrator throws a metal barrier at van full of gendarmerie Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Demonstrators stand in front of a burning car during a protest of Yellow vests Credit: AFP or licensors

49 Cops used tear gas to quell the violence in the French capital Credit: AP:Associated Press

49 Yellow vest protesters threw paint bombs at riot cops Credit: AFP or licensors

49 A lone rioter taunts cops during the demo over rising fuel prices Credit: Reuters 'Yellow Vest' masked protesters attack police officer in Paris

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said: "I am shocked by the attacks on the symbols of France. We are committed to dialogue, but also respect for the law." Further rallies took place across the country, spreading to Marseille, Biarritz, Antibes and into the Netherlands. A week ago, the Yellow Vests again brought anarchy to Paris, smashing up shops and restaurants and fighting running battles with CRS riot police. The Dior Store was among those looted — with the designer fashion business losing up to £1 million-worth of stock. 'Yellow Vest' protesters loot DIOR in Paris riots as violence escalates in the French capital 49 Cops claim the demonstration has been hijacked by extremists Credit: EPA

49 French riot Police detain protesters wearing yellow vests Credit: EPA

49 Riot vans turned water cannons on the troublemakers Credit: EPA

49 There were more than 100 arrests near the historic arch Credit: AFP or licensors

Christophe Castener, France’s Interior Minister authorised workmen to set up obstacles in front of shops to prevent rioters from smashing windows and doors. Areas around the Elysee Palace, the office home of President Macron were in lockdown. Mr Castaner has blamed Marine Le Pen, leader of the Far Right National Rally party, for encouraging unsavoury elements to get involved in trouble.