Riot police in Paris have fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon at fuel hike protesters who tried to breach security cordons on the Champs Elysees boulevard.

The latest violent clashes on Saturday morning, which saw at least 205 people arrested, came ahead of a third rally in the French capital in as many weeks over rising taxes and President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Christophe Castaner, the country's interior minister, said 1,500 "agitators" were among the demonstrators. Mr Macron later said there were 5,500 protesters in the capital and about 75,000 in total around the country.

Image: The demonstrations were marked by violent scenes

Image: Activists smashed up a car during the unrest

The first week of protests saw an estimated 282,000 protesters demonstrate around the whole of France.

Pockets of protesters built barricades in the middle of streets in Paris, lit fires and threw rocks at police. Reports suggest around a dozen cars have been set on fire near the capital's famous shopping boulevard, the Champs Elysees.


On Saturday evening police said protesters stole an assault rifle from a police vehicle in central Paris, Reuters news agency reported.

Authorities said at least 80 people - including 16 officers - were injured in clashes.

Image: Dozens have been injured in the clashes in Paris

Image: France's interior minister called the violence an 'insult to the Republic'

Police said Saturday's arrests were made amid concerns violent far-right and far-left groups were infiltrating the "gilets jaunes" - yellow jackets - movement which is a spontaneous rebellion against diesel tax hikes and high living costs.

The movement, which does not have any leaders, was named after the fluorescent jackets worn by protesters, which motorists must keep in their cars by law.

"The scenes we watched this morning are intolerable," Mr Castaner wrote on Twitter. "The clear will to attack our police forces, our country's symbols, is an insult to the Republic."

J'éprouve une profonde indignation et une grande tristesse face à ces violences au cœur de Paris. Elles sont inacceptables. Notre pays est confronté à une crise majeure. Elle ne peut être résolue que par le dialogue. Nous devons au plus vite retrouver ce chemin. #GiletsJaunes — Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) December 1, 2018

Department stores, including the famous Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, said they were closing early on Saturday afternoon because of the violence, while at least 19 Metro stations were closed, local media said.

Firemen were seen putting out a large fire inside a building near the Arc de Triomphe as protesters looked on, filming with their phones.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted her "indignation", saying the violence is "not acceptable.

Image: Diesel tax hikes and high living costs have spurred the clashes

Image: Police fear violent far-right and far-left groups were infiltrating the 'yellow vests'

Activists have blocked roads in demonstrations across the country for more than two weeks and have posed one of the biggest challenges to Mr Macron's leadership so far.

The movement has also appeared spread to the Netherlands with Dutch police closing off the parliamentary complex in The Hague after about 100 yellow vest demonstrators gathered outside to protest government policies.

Image: Authorities have increased police numbers this weekend

Image: Demonstrators were heard chanting 'Macron resign'

It comes after several hundred people gathered under the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs Elysees on Saturday and sat down to sing the French national anthem before chanting "Macron resign".

The latest arrests follow the thousands of protesters who clashed with officers a week ago in Paris.

Denis Jacob, secretary general of the Alternative Police union said: "We're worried that small groups of rioters that aren't yellow vests will infiltrate [Saturday's demonstration] to fight security forces and challenge the authority of the state.

Image: The movement is named after the fluorescent jackets motorists must keep in their cars by law

Image: The French interior minister said 1,500 'agitators' were among those in Paris this morning

"Given the high level of security around the Champs the fear is thugs will go to other places."

Officials are expecting 5,000 officers in the French capital, an increase on the 3,000 deployed last Saturday. Authorities are to send another 5,000 across France to other demonstrations.

Metal barriers were put in place and shops were boarded up on the famous boulevard, which has been closed off to cars and pedestrians.

Image: A major rally is expected to take place in Paris later on Saturday

David Michaux, of the UNSA police union, said far-right and far-left groups were expected at the protests.

He said: "There's a lot of incitement on social media and we are expecting excess and violence."

Besides the yellow vests protest, another two had been scheduled for Saturday - a union protest against unemployment and another rallying against racism.