A 52-year-old metro driver, who went by the name of Robert, told CNN that it's "not a pleasure" to be protesting on Thursday because he's "losing money," but said it was an important message to be part of.

We are fighting for our pensions and if we need to close the metro for a long time, we will."

Here are a couple of pictures after the sun set in Paris:

Two protesters stand next to a fire in Paris. ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters gather near the "Triomphe de la Republique" statue among flares. AFP via Getty Images