RIOTING has broken out in Paris today as thousands gathered for May Day protests dubbed an 'Armageddon’ by extremist demonstrators.

Paris police said 250 people had been arrested, most for public order offences related to the rioting, as cops clashed with 'Black Bloc' anti-capitalists.

37 Protesters move down the streets of Paris with a huge black swan on wheels Credit: Reuters

37 A Black Bloc protester throws a projectile towards riot police Credit: EPA

37 They are causing destruction across the city, setting fire objects in the street Credit: AFP or licensors

37 French CRS riot police stand guard next to a fire during clashes as part of the traditional May Day labour union march Credit: Reuters

37 Protesters dressed in black, walk behind a giant shield in the shape of a black swan Credit: AFP or licensors

37 A protester raises his arms as he stands in the smoke released by tear gas canisters Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Protesters stand amid smoke during a demonstration of the French trade unions members and the 'Gilets Jaunes' Credit: EPA

37 A police officer (C) points a 40-millimetre rubber defensive bullet launcher LBD, as he stands guard with gendarmes and riot police officers Credit: AFP or licensors

Weapons were also confiscated as the police used tear gas, rubber bullets and baton charges to try and restore order.

Thugs from the so-called Black Bloc anti-capitalist movement were involved in running battles with police soon after 1pm (local time).

Black Bloc activists with their faces covered could be seen leading attacks on officers, and smashing up vehicles and shop fronts.

The worst early violence was outside La Rotonde, President Emmanuel Macron’s favourite restaurant in Montparnasse.

A CRS riot control officer at the scene said: "Black Bloc agitators were throwing stones and other missiles at us, and we had to charge.

"Tear gas has also been deployed to bring order to the situation. The situation is very tense. There have been 88 arrests reported so far."

Huge parts of Paris are on lockdown today as an unprecedented 7,400 police officers have been drafted onto the streets.

May Day riots are expected in the French capital today, following the months of chaos caused by 'Yellow Vest' protesters.

There’s no question of dramatising anything, it is a question of being prepared Christophe Castaner

The massive security presence was announced by Interior Minister Christophe Castaner who said: "There’s no question of dramatising anything, it is a question of being prepared."

May Day is a Bank Holiday and a traditional time for Left-Wing workers to rise up against the ruling elite.

Around 5,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers have been deployed for recent Yellow Vest demonstrations that have descended into anarchy.

Today a further 2,400 were deemed necessary as the Vests were joined by trade unionists, climate change protesters and so-called Black Bloc anti-capitalists who have pledged to turn Paris into the "Riot Capital of Europe".

Yellow Vests join May Day protests in Paris after calling for 'the ultimate act' in capital of riots'

Mr Castanar said the extra officers were needed because "1,000 to 2,000 extremists" were expected to add to the disturbance.

There are 25,000 Yellow Vests expected in Paris alone, and some 100,000 more in other parts of France, Mr Castaner claims.

Many "radical activists" more are expected to come from neighbouring countries including Britain, Germany and Italy to join in the mayhem.

There are fears they will target public monuments, banks and high-end shops, as well as the threat of the fires that have become commonplace at Yellow Vest protests.

This has led to the closure of the Champs Elysee, along with Paris’s governmental and diplomatic districts.

THREAT TO PUBLIC MONUMENTS

The Ile de la Cite - the island where Notre Dame Cathedral is situated - was also on lockdown following the blaze that almost destroyed it last month.

Armoured cars and water cannons are also deployed next to historic buildings such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomhe.

The Vests – who are named after their high-visibility jackets – started as an online group calling for an end to high fuel prices last November.

They have been demonstrating in major cities in France and beyond every Saturday since, and are now calling for President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS CREEPY CRAWLERS Dozens of horrifying 3ft-long robber crabs invade family's campsite BBQ COV-ER & OUT Lockdown-free Sweden 'on brink of BEATING Covid after achieving herd immunity' ON THE RUN Brit who ‘slaughtered hooker with snooker cue and machete is hiding in Ireland' GRINCHES Mum reveals HUGE Xmas gift haul for daughter - but some parents brand kid 'spoilt' OUT OF THIS WORLD Man transforms into 'alien' after having nose REMOVED & splitting tongue JOHNNY ROTTEN Cops seize 324,000 used condoms being washed & sold as NEW in Vietnam raid

Mr Macron went on television last week to outline a package of economic reforms worth around £4.5billion, but it has failed to pacify his critics.

As he prepares for European Parliament elections this month, the president wants to show he is capable of maintaining law and order in his own country.

May Day demonstrations were also expected today in major cities such as Bordeaux, Marseille and Toulouse.

37 Masked protesters dressed in black are sprayed with water from water cannons Credit: AFP

37 Protesters set up a barricade during clashes with police on the sidelines of a May Day demonstration Credit: AFP or licensors

37 A member of the French anti-riot police CRS receives medication after being injured during clashes with demonstrators Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Street medics gesture in the street through smoke of tear gas Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Anti-riot police walk past a burning barricade as they clash with protesters Credit: AFP

37 Firefighters put out a mattress burnt during the annual May Day rally Credit: AFP

37 French CRS riot police remove a cart from a street during clashes Credit: Reuters

37 Tear gas floats around masked protesters during clashes with French riot police during a demonstration as part of the traditional May Day labour protests in Paris Credit: Reuters

37 Riot police officers restrain a man during a May Day demonstration Credit: AP:Associated Press

37 A man, his face covered in blood, is helped to leave during a May Day demonstration in Paris Credit: AP:Associated Press

37 A police officer points a 40-millimetre rubber defensive bullet launcher LBD Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Riot police officers and protesters clash in the district of Montparnasse Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Demonstrators clash with police as they march though Paris Credit: Getty Images - Getty

37 A masked protester dressed in black and with a yellow vest is pushed in a wheelchair through tear gas smoke Credit: AFP

37 People including protesters wearing yellow vests attend the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris Credit: Reuters

37 French police apprehend protesters and spray tear gas Credit: Reuters

37 Protestors part of the "black bloc" direct action wing throw cobblestones at a van Credit: AFP

37 The windscreen of a vehicle was broken by a stone thrown by protesters Credit: AFP or licensors

37 A police officer assists an injured man as demonstrators march though Paris Credit: Getty Images - Getty

37 French CRS riot police apprehend a protester during clashes Credit: Reuters

37 A police officer with yellow paint on his shield Credit: AP:Associated Press

37 Tooled-up riot police are out in numbers in Paris today Credit: AP:Associated Press

37 French authorities announced tight security measures for May Day demonstrations Credit: AP:Associated Press

37 May Day 2019 - Police armoured vehicles line the side of the street in Paris Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Police officers detain an opposition protester during a May Day rally in Saint Petersburg, Russia Credit: YURI_MALTSEV

37 Police officers detain a protester in Saint Petersburg Credit: YURI_MALTSEV

37 Protesters on the ground as they clash with police Saint Petersburg Credit: YURI_MALTSEV

37 Turkish police detain a protester attempting to defy a ban and march on Taksim Square to mark May Day in Istanbul Credit: AFP or licensors

37 Protestors arrested by riot police as they try to reach Taksim Square for an illegal May Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey Credit: EPA

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.