SHOCKING footage shows a cowering protester being battered by baton-wielding French police who chased him down a Parisian street during violent riots in the city.

Officers are also seen kicking the man in the clip which was filmed near the Champs-Elysees during Saturday’s carnage - which is the worst in Paris for 50 years.

8 A protester is beaten on the streets of Paris by riot police on Saturday

Police have called for President Macron to send in the Army after central Paris was overrun at the weekend by the “Yellow vest” protestors who were joined by right-wing thugs and masked-anarchists.

In the disturbing video, the unnamed man is chased by cops in Rue de Berri, a half-mile from the Arc de Triomphe, before being thrown to the ground by one officer.

Another six policemen then join him in kicking the demonstrator and striking him with batons.

It is not known what sparked the beating which was filmed by an onlooker from a window across the street.

8 Seven cops in total take turns to kick and beat the cowering man amid the worst riots in the city since 1968

8 It is not clear what prompted the beating which was filmed by an onlooker near the Champs-Elysees

The anti-government rioters, who threw hammers and steel bolts at officers, said their movement was "the start of a revolution".

Yves Lefebvre, a member of the Unité SGP police union, told France Info radio that security forces at the weekend were exhausted by the worst riots in the city since 1968.

He said: "The (officers) don’t want to remain as the last rampart against insurrection. We can’t take it - I call on the president to face up to his responsibilities."

The “yellow vest” movement, named after the high-visibility jackets of lorry drivers, said that they would return to the capital next weekend.

And there have been calls online to block roads and oil refineries around the country while other demonstrators plan to march on the Élysée Palace.

8 A Yellow Vest protesters kicks a tear gas canister during clashes with police Credit: AFP or licensors

8 The unrest is the worst in Paris for 50 years Credit: AFP or licensors

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

8 Protesters have attacked iconic buildings such as the Arc de Triomphe Credit: AFP or licensors

8 President Macron, centre, assesses the damage caused by rioters in Paris alongside Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, right. Credit: AFP or licensors

President Emmanuel Macron greets firefighters and policemen as he visits Arc de Triomphe after the 'Yellow Vest' riots in Paris

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

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.

French leader Emmanuel Macron summoned his senior ministers and policy chiefs to an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss how to deal with the carnage.

Michel Delpuech, chief of the city’s police, said that central Paris had been overwhelmed “by violence of unprecedented gravity, at a level not reached in recent decades”, reports The Times.

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He said the mobile gendarmerie and CRS riot police had failed to stop the unrest as men, who police have branded "professional" rioters, aged in their thirties and forties hurled projectiles at them.

Mr Macron told Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, to “adapt the methods used for maintaining order” following concerns that cops had failed to contain the rampaging protesters.

Graffiti was sprayed on the iconic Arc de Triomphe calling for Macron's resignation ahead of his tour through the scenes of destruction.

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

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