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The famous Jeu de Paume art gallery in Paris is on fire amid violent protests in the French capital today.

Footage shows the arts centre for modern and postmodern photography and media in flames as protests erupted across the city over fuel prices.

The gallery is located in the north corner of the Tuileries Gardens next to the Place de la Concorde.

Sharing the clip on Twitter, journalist Peter Allen wrote: "The Jeu de Paume - one of best art galleries in Paris - is on fire. A mob is storming through the Tuleries Garden."

(Image: Peter Allen) (Image: Peter Allen)

Sixty-five people have been injured, including 11 members of the security forces, in protests against high living costs in central Paris.

The Paris police department said 205 people had been arrested including militants from the far-right and far-left.

Reuters have also reported that protesters have stolen an assault rifle from a police vehicle in central Paris.

Earlier today, the area around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was reduced to a battleground as 'yellow vest' protesters clashed with police.

Riot police and masked French protesters clashed as water cannons, tear gas and baton charges were used to hold a mob of around 1,500 demonstrators back at the famous landmark.

Shocking footage emerged today of protesters surrounding and beating a police officer as the protests escalated.

(Image: REUTERS)

Chilling footage shows the moment the cop became separated from the group and was quickly surrounded by masked 'Yellow Vests'.

A group of around 15 drag him to the ground and take turns to rain down punches, before he escapes.

The cameraman then films the officer running back towards his comrades, and away through the arch, narrowly missing being tripped up by another protestor.

Other officers were covered in yellow paint in the attacks.

Gregory Joron, of the SGP police union said: "It is people’s right to demonstrate, but extremist groups have already joined in.

"Groups intent on trouble are appearing from all directions. They include those from the extreme right and the ultra-Left."

Sixteen identity check points and police barricades have been set up on the Champs Elysees for the first time in its history in an attempt to avoid rioting on the most famous avenue in France.

"There will be identity checks and bag searches for all pedestrians," said Christophe Castener, France’s Interior Minister, adding that cars would be banned.

A week ago, the 'Yellow Vests' again brought anarchy to the Champs, smashing up shops and restaurants, lighting fires, and fighting running battles with CRS riot police.

(Image: Twitter) (Image: YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The Dior Store was among those looted, with the designer fashion business losing up to £1 million-worth of stock.

Police responded with water canon, and round upon round of tear gas - and this week’s measures are even more severe.

The 16 control points include ones at the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, at both ends of the Champs.

December 1 is one of the most important trade days of the year as hundreds of businesses welcome Christmas shoppers.

(Image: YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

(Image: REUTERS)

They include many Britons – the biggest visitor group to Paris – and Mr Castaner said everything would be done to protect them.

He has authorised workmen to set up obstacles in front of shops, so as to prevent rioters from smashing windows and doors.

There are 4,000 police on duty in central Paris – a thousand more than last week – and areas around the Elysee Palace, the office home of President Macron are in lock down.

The 'Yellow Vests' – who are named after the reflective jackets they wear – have called for an end to escalating petrol and diesel prices.

(Image: ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Mr Castaner has blamed Marine Le Pen, leader of the Far Right National Rally party, for encouraging unsavoury elements to get involved in trouble.

He slammed the "radicalisation" and "anarchy" of the movement, while conceding that hard-Left elements had also hijacked the protests.

Mr Macron has insisted fuel prices have to rise in line with green initiatives made necessary by the Paris Climate Change agreement and said he won't back down in the face of disturbances.