ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Demonstrators in Paris have taken to the streets for a third weekend in a row to protest rising taxes and high costs of living.

Over 300 people were arrested with over 100 injured as the protest turned into violent clashes with the police.

Photos from the French capital show burning cars and people smashing properties.

There were reports that a rifle had been stolen from a police van.

The unrest prompted at least 19 metro stations in the capital to be closed.

Among the stations closed were Etoile, at the top of the Champs Elysee boulevard, Opera and Bastille.

In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about President Emmanuel Macron's leadership.

A demonstration last weekend in Paris also turned violent.

The clashes in Paris contrasted with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful.

The protests, which began with motorists demonstrating against a fuel tax hike, now involve a broad range of demands related to the country's high cost of living.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that there were 5,500 protesters in the capital and around 75,000 across the country.

France's Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said security forces hoped to restore order in Paris very quickly but were facing difficulties because the groups they were battling were mobile and well-prepared.

"Security forces are facing extremely violent radical groups that are targeting institutions .. who are equipped, masked and are preventing security forces moving forward," Mr Nunez told BFM television.

France's health minister has said that the riots are unacceptable and accused extremist groups of taking advantage of the situation.

Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to push back angry demonstrators.

Since the protests kicked off on November 17, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests, and hundreds of protesters and police have been injured.