Three people have been arrested after scuffles broke out between protesters and police in Paris as the results of the French presidential election first round became clearer.

Demonstrators burned cars, danced around bonfires and dodged riot police as they swarmed the Place de la Bastille in eastern Paris.

Partial results from the vote show far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron leading.

Tear gas was fired by police at demonstrators. Credit: AP

In the capital, police were forced to fire tear gas at an increasingly unruly crowd, with riot officers surrounding the area.

Meanwhile, at a peaceful protest outside the Place de la Republique demonstrators sang "No Marine and No Macron!" and "Now burn your voting cards."

Protesters have greeted several of Le Pen's campaign events to date, angry at her anti-immigration policies.