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Violence erupted in France for the 11th Saturday in a row as thousands of "yellow vest" protesters marched through Paris.

Around 22,000 people attended protests around the country, which saw clashes in Paris's Bastille Square.

The worst early violence was in the capital as well as northern towns including Evreux and Rouen where tear gas and baton charges were used by police to restore order.

The protests - named after the fluorescent jackets French motorists are required to carry in their cars - began in mid-November over plans to raise fuel taxes before developing into a broader revolt against the Macron government.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Turnout so far was lower than last Saturday, particularly in Paris.

However, in a change of approach, some protesters have also called for an evening gathering, dubbed "Yellow Night", at Republic square, a common venue for demonstrations in Paris.

In one of several processions in the capital, a few hundred demonstrators walked down the Champs-Elysees, the famous avenue that has been the scene of protests every weekend, and across town to Bastille square.

Mass crowds took over main roads in the French capital, where there were 20 arrests for violent disorder and acts of vandalism offences by 4pm.

Barricades were set up in the Place de la Bastille, a traditional protest square, using material stolen from nearby building sites.

Hooded and masked protectors could be seen throwing stones and pieces of wood at police, and fires were lit.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images) (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

As in previous weeks, protesters carried French flags and held signs attacking "King Macron" as out of touch or calling for referendums tabled by ordinary citizens.

As the march converged on Bastille, small groups of protesters formed makeshift barriers, lit fires and threw projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas and water canon, television footage showed.

Police made 42 arrests in Paris, prefectural authorities said.

A video posted on social media showed fighting between rival groups, and police using assorted chemical sprays on alleged thugs.

"There are at least four known Yellow Vests marches taking place in the city, including unauthorised ones," said a Paris police spokesman.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

"There have also been threats about demonstrations continuing well into Saturday night. The worst violence in currently in Place de la Bastille."

In previous weeks national monuments including the Arc de Triomphe itself have been vandalised during disturbances.

Today’s ugly scenes came on the 11th Saturday in a row of violence that now routinely reduces cities and towns to battle zones.

Mr Macron has since pledged that any attempt to damage pubic property will be treated with the "most severe action possible".

Despite a range of concessions by President Macron including scrapping green taxes of diesel and petrol, the Vests continue to call for him to step down.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Protesters have been joined by extremists from the far Right and the ultra-Left, as well as anarchists intent on causing as much damage as possible.

The Yellow Vests said their protests would continue indefinitely as they campaign for even more concessions.

The independent Mr Macron, leader of the Republic On The Move party, won the French presidential election in a landslide in 2017, but he is now dubbed the ‘President of the Rich’ with polls showing his popularity rating struggling to get above the 30 per cent mark.