
Over 200 protesters were arrested in Paris after masked anarchists tried to start a riot in the city today as the police stopped them demonstrating before the UN climate change summit.

All protests have been banned in the capital city following the terrorist attacks two weeks ago in which 130 people died. But around 500 people turned up in Place de la Republique anyway, and started throwing bottles and stones at CRS riot squads.

They responded with tear gas and baton charges, soon after 2pm, and an uneasy stand off followed. By late evening, the number of arrests had risen to 208, with 174 of those in custody placed under formal police investigation.

Scroll down for video:

Tug of war: Police officers grapple with a young activist as several friends try to rescue him from their grasp during violent scenes in Paris

Hitting back: One riot police officer unleashed a large amount of spray into the eyes of one activist during protests this afternoon

'Our aim is to stop the trouble, and to make sure the crowds disperse,' said a CRS spokesman.

Earlier, a pair of shoes belonging to the Pope was among thousands left in the famous square, as a protest against the banning of a climate change march.

'We can understand why the police are scared of further trouble, but we still think we should have been able to march,' said a protest organiser.

'There are huge numbers of people who think governments are not doing enough to limit damage to the environment, and that includes the Pope.'

Nicked: An activist is led away by two members of the police at the protest in Paris. By the early evening more than 200 had been arrested

Clowning around: Some activists were in fancy dress as they tried to find cover after the peaceful protests turned nasty

Kicking off: Tear gas canisters were fired in an attempt by police to disperse demonstrators in Paris. It came after a planned march was cancelled

Heavy clashes: Members of the protest and police were involved in a series of confrontations as what was supposed to be a peaceful march turned nasty

Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles were among those due in arrive in Paris, along with US President Barack Obama, China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

All will attend the start of the Paris conference tomorrow, which is tasked with reaching the first truly universal climate pact.

The goal is to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by curbing fossil fuel emissions blamed for climate change.

It comes as scientists warn of a world that will be increasingly inhospitable to human life, with massive storms, drought, and rising sea levels that swamp vast areas of land becoming routine.

Major roads into Paris were closed today, as they will be on Monday too.

Some 2,800 police and soldiers are guarding the hermetically sealed conference venue near Le Bourget airport, north of the French capital.

Another 6,300 officers are deployed in the city itself, while armoured vehicles are also on the streets.

Ugly scenes: Police fought back as the demonstration descended into clashes in the centre of Paris - a day ahead of the start of the UN conference on climate change

Unnerving: A heavily masked protester marches at the front of the rally at Place de la Republique in Paris earlier today

Chaotic: A group of youths try to burst through a metal barricade and clash with police at the Paris protest

A small number of demonstrators clash with riot policemen near the Place de la Republique

Painful: CRS riot police take down a protester after clashes broke out at the demonstration in Place de la Republique

Prince Charles arrives today and will address the opening session of the two-week UN conference, repeating his view that climate change is partly responsible for war such as the one raging in Syria.

The Prince will also be at the Institut de France in central Paris on Monday to receive the Francois Rabelais prize for his organic farming and global protection work.

With France still under a State of Emergency since the attacks, the authorities have cancelled two major rallies.

Some 24 climate activists have also been placed under house arrest, using the emergency powers.

The clashes in Paris came as a pair of shoes belonging to the Pope laid out among thousands of shoes left at Place de la Republique square in a mass protest against the banning of a climate change march.

'We can understand why the police are scared of further trouble, but we still think we should have been able to march,' said a protest organiser.

'There are huge numbers of people who think governments are not doing enough to limit damage to the environment, and that includes the Pope.'

Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles were among those due in arrive in Paris, along with US President Barack Obama, China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

All will attend the start of the Paris conference, which is tasked with reaching the first truly universal climate pact.

Dozens of similar rallies against climate change were held around the world, including in the city of Berlin

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco with their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella participate in a climate march in Monaco

Supporters from Dublin show their anger at the lack of action over climate change, urging politicians to seek action urgently

Dozens of people gather in the Piazza Castello in Turin, Italy as part of the worldwide support for climate change action

Demonstrators in Hungary gather together and hold up autumn leaves in support of climate change action

Despite having their own conflict in the east of the country, Ukrainians gathered to show their concern over climate change

Several protesters in Rio de Janeiro hold a 'die-in' across the centre of the road in the bustling city of Brazil

The signs of support stretches even as far the Yemeni city of Sana'a, which is currently facing a violent war

Finnish demonstrators gather together, calling for swift action over climate change in Helsinki

Protesters try and start a peaceful sit-in directly in front of several lines of riot police

Looks fun: Hundreds of pairs of shoes have been left at Place de la Republique as part of a symbolic rally

Impressive: Rows upon rows of shoes litter the ground at the Place de la Republique

Standing together: Whilst the shoe demonstration took place, world leaders have been meeting to discuss the issue of climate change

The goal is to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by curbing fossil fuel emissions blamed for climate change.

It comes as scientists warn of a world that will be increasingly inhospitable to human life, with massive storms, drought, and rising sea levels that swamp vast areas of land becoming routine.

Major roads into Paris were closed today, as they will be on Monday too.

Some 2,800 police and soldiers are guarding the hermetically sealed conference venue near Le Bourget airport, north of the French capital.

Another 6,300 officers are deployed in the city itself, while armoured vehicles are also on the streets.

Pour le climat! Banners and other placards have been erected at the famous square in downtown Paris

Violent: Angry demonstrators clash with riot police leading to a number of arrests

Painful: One young demonstrator receives a sharp spray of pepper spray to his eyes

A pair of shoes belonging to the Pope was among thousands left in a Paris square today in a mass protest against the banning of a climate change march

Handshake: French President Francois Hollande welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at a working dinner at the Elysee Presidential Palace

Prince Charles arrives today and will address the opening session of the two-week UN conference, repeating his view that climate change is partly responsible for war such as the one raging in Syria.

The Prince will also be at the Institut de France in central Paris on Monday to receive the Francois Rabelais prize for his organic farming and global protection work.

With France still under a State of Emergency since the attacks, the authorities have cancelled two major rallies.