Tear gas and water cannons were fired at protesters in Paris on Saturday as thousands took to the streets in protest against the country’s rising fuel tax.

Riot police were sent in as the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vests) citizens’ movement – named after the protesters’ fluorescent, high-visibility vests, which all French motorists are obliged to keep in their cars – did their best to fulfil their threat to bring the city to a standstill.

Authorities said 5,000 protesters converged on the Champs-Elysees where they faced police sent to prevent them from reaching the nearby presidential Elysee Palace.

Some protesters sang the national anthem while others carried signs bearing slogans such as “Macron, resignation” and “Macron, thief”.

Videos and pictures posted to Twitter showed violent clashes as protesters tried to break through a police cordon. At least 18 people were arrested.

Interior minister Christophe Castaner denounced protesters from the far right whom he called “rebellious”, as the rallies turned violent at the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysees. He also accused Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National (National Rally) party, of encouraging them.

Demonstrators take to the streets in Paris in protest over fuel prices

“The ultra-right is mobilised and is building barricades on the Champs-Elysees. They are progressively being neutralised and pushed back by police,” he said.

Ms Le Pen hit back on Twitter, saying she has simply asked the government why it did not allow the gilets jaunes to protest in the area.

“Today Mr. @CCastaner uses this question to target me. It is shabby and dishonest in the image of the author of this manipulation politician,” she said.

As fire and tear gas engulfed the Champs-Elysees, Australia’s ambassador to France warned citizens to steer clear of the city.

“There are ongoing violent protests on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, as well as other regional areas, we recommend that you maintain a safe distance from public demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities at all times.”

For more than a week, protesters have blocked highways across the country with burning barricades and convoys of slow-moving trucks, obstructing access to fuel depots, shopping centres and some factories.

Demonstrators take to the streets of Paris (AFP/Getty Images)

Two people have been killed and hundreds injured.

The grassroots protest has morphed into a wider outpouring over inequality and an opposition front to centrist president Emmanuel Macron.

A poll for French paper Le Figaro revealed 77 per cent of French people felt demonstrators were justified in their actions, suggesting many citizens identified with the feeling of alienation from the political class and Mr Macron’s government.

A 23 per cent rise in the price of diesel in the past year was the final straw for many struggling families.

Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Show all 22 1 /22 Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Protestors make a barricade during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs near the Arc of Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018. - Security forces in Paris fired tear gas and water cannon on November 24 to disperse protesters. Several thousand demonstrators, wearing high-visibility yellow jackets, had gathered on the avenue as part of protests which began on November 17, 2018. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images BERTRAND GUAY AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A barricade is seen during a "Yellow vest" protest against higher fuel prices in Paris REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A woman wears a Yellow vest (Gilet jaune) reading "Macron resign" with a French flag on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018 during a protest against rising oil prices and living costs. - Police fired tear gas and water cannon on November 24 in central Paris against "yellow vest" protesters demanding French President roll back tax hikes on motor fuel. AFP/Getty Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Riot police vehicles stand on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018 during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilet jaune) against rising oil prices and living costs. - Police fired tear gas and water cannon on November 24 in central Paris against "yellow vest" protesters demanding French President roll back tax hikes on motor fuel. AFP/Getty Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher fuel prices, build a barricade during clashes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A protestor throws flares on the Champs Elysees, in Paris on November 24, 2018 during a national rally initiated by the Yellow vests (gilets jaunes in french) to protest against rising oil prices and living costs. - Security forces in Paris fired tear gas and water cannon on November 24 to disperse protesters who tried to break through a police cordon on the Champs-Elysees. Several thousand demonstrators, wearing high-visibility yellow jackets, had gathered on the avenue as part of protests which began on November 17, 2018 AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A protester wearing yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher fuel prices, gestures during riots on the Champs-Elysees in Paris REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A truck burns during a "Yellow vest" protest against higher fuel prices during clashes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A protester wearing yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher fuel prices, talks to the police officer during clashes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A man kneels on the street during a "Yellow vest" protest against higher fuel prices in Paris, France REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A huge explosion is seen on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue, after protesters, called the yellow jackets, set on fire a construction trailer during clashes with riot police as they protest against the fuel taxes, in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidenc AP Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A protester wearing French flag attends a "Yellow vest" protest against higher fuel prices on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France REUTERS Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests Protesters clash with riot police as they deploy tear gas during a demonstration of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) on the Champs Elysees in Paris AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests A protester wrapped in a French flag faces riot police during a demonstration on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests A protester dressed in hivis vest holds a french flag as she stands on a red light at the Champs Elysee, in Paris. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests A demonstrator holds a flare on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police A protester gestures on the Champs Elysee as protests against rising fuel prices bring Paris to a standstill. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests Demonstrators hold barriers on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests Protesters demonstrate surrounded by tear gas on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests A protester wears a Yellow vest (Gilet jaune) reading "The richer always richer" during a demonstration on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests Demonstrators pulls out barriers as on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP/Getty Images Paris fuel protests: Demonstrators clash with police Paris Protests Riot police face Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) protestors demonstrating near the ARc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP/Getty Images

A man was arrested following a dramatic stand-off with police on Friday when he demanded that “the yellow vests be received at the Elysee Palace”, the president’s official residence in Paris, while brandishing an apparent grenade at a supermarket in the western city of Angers.

Mr Macron, who has tried to present himself as “humble”, is accused of indifference to the struggles of ordinary people. “Macron, we are not your sheep,” a banner held aloft by roadside protesters in Montceau-les-Mines read on Friday.

“I hope there will be a veritable yellow tide,” said one of the leaders of the movement, the right-wing political figure Frank Buhler.

(AFP/Getty Images (AFP/Getty Images)

Despite the rising tensions the French leader defended the rising cost of diesel as necessary to reduce France’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“We will be uncompromising because we can’t accept the things we’ve seen,” he said.

In a TV interview last week, he admitted he had “not succeeded in reconciling the French with their leaders” and vowed to give provinces more of a say in policymaking.

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“There are legitimate grievances that have to be given a hearing,” he told his cabinet on Wednesday.