The French Government has suspended three fuel tax increases for a six-month period starting on January 1 in response to weeks of protests that turned violent.

Key points: France's Government has been holding crisis talks on dealing with the protests

France's Government has been holding crisis talks on dealing with the protests Demonstrations in Paris on the weekend spiralled into violent rioting

Demonstrations in Paris on the weekend spiralled into violent rioting It is unlikely that the suspension of tax hikes will quell the demonstrations

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced the measure in what marks President Emmanuel Macron's first significant U-turn on a major policy since taking power in 2017.

"This anger, you'd have to be deaf or blind not to see it or hear it," Mr Philippe said, adding that "no tax is worth putting the nation's unity in danger".

"The French who have donned yellow vests want taxes to drop, and work to pay. That's also what we want. If I didn't manage to explain it, if the ruling majority didn't manage to convince the French, then something must change."

The so-called "yellow vests" protests, which started on November 17, focused on denouncing a squeeze on household spending brought about by Mr Macron's taxes on diesel, which he said were necessary to combat climate change and protect the environment.

However, they have since evolved into a bigger, general anti-Macron uprising, with many criticising the President for pursuing policies that they claim favour the wealthiest members of French society.

A police car burns in Marseille, a city in the south of France also hit by the protests, on Saturday. ( AP: Claude Paris )

Protests in Paris at the weekend turned particularly violent, with the Arc de Triomphe defaced and avenues off the capital's Champs Elysees suffering damage.

It is unclear whether Mr Philippe's announcement will put an end to the road blockades and demonstrations, with more possible protests this weekend in Paris.

Protesters continue to block several fuel depots and many insisted their fight was not over.

"It's a first step, but we will not settle for a crumb," said Benjamin Cauchy, one of the protest leaders.

Prominent Socialist figure Segolene Royal, a former candidate for president, lauded Mr Philippe's decision but said it came too late.

"This decision should have been taken from the start, as soon as the conflict emerged," she said. "The more you let a conflict fester, the more you eventually have to concede."

After a third consecutive weekend of clashes in Paris led by protesters wearing distinctive yellow traffic vests, Mr Philippe held crisis talks with representatives of major political parties on Monday.

He also met with Mr Macron and other ministers in order to find a quick solution to the crisis.

Protesters wearing yellow vests clash with riot police on the the Champs-Elysee in Paris on November 24. ( Reuters: Benoit Tessier )

More than 100 people were injured in the French capital and 412 arrested over the weekend during France's worst urban riot in years, with dozens of cars torched.

Since the movement began on November 17, three people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes or accidents stemming from the protests.

The demonstrations have been given the "yellow vest" tag due to the fluorescent jackets kept in all vehicles in France.

The protests are estimated to have cost the economy millions.

Reuters/AP