More than 270,000 French people have taken to the streets in France to protest against the cost of living and the state of public services and education. The protests have been accompanied by clashes with police in Paris and Lyon, while a one-day strike by public sector workers has also led to the closure of the Eiffel Tower.
The protests come after a series of demonstrations against the cost of living, the state of public services and problems in education, which have turned into the most serious social unrest in France in recent years.
In Paris, the protest began in a festive atmosphere. Participants sang the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," while vehicles resembling those used in carnival parades were seen on the streets.
But about two hours after the march began, some protesters at the head of the crowd clashed with police, who used tear gas. There were also clashes in Lyon, where special police forces used tear gas against a group of protesters. Some of them, dressed in black and with their faces covered, chanted slogans against the police.
Meanwhile, near Toulouse, people throwing fireworks set a high school on fire. Students and staff were forced to evacuate while firefighters battled the flames.
"This kind of criminal behavior is an absolute scandal," declared Education Minister Edouard Geffray.
The one-day strike, which was also joined by some energy sector workers and teachers, closed the Eiffel Tower but caused no major disruption to transport. The strike also reduced electricity production at France's nuclear power plants. According to the Education Ministry, just over 15% of teachers joined the strike.
The protests pose another challenge for French President Emmanuel Macron.
