Hundreds arrested as protesters clash with police across France over rising living costs

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More than 270 people have been arrested at demonstrations across France as tens of thousands take to the street to protest high prices and inequality.

French Ministry of the Interior says 140 separate actions involving almost 33,000 people had been recorded by early afternoon.

Some 272 ⁠people have been arrested following violent incidents involving hooded individuals in areas like Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.

Masked protestors stormed a town hall in Marseille on Saturday morning after ramming the doors with security barriers and shouting: “It's the Revolution, we're taking the Bastille.”

In Lyon, demonstrators set fire to the tourism office and smashed its windows, before trying to prevent firefighters from tackling the blaze.

"The movement is marked by a very strong mobilisation of far-left elements, whose sole intent is to incite disorder," the ministry said, adding that demonstrations have involved "targeted acts of violence" from "hooded individuals".

It accused some protesters of attempts at looting, attacks on police , starting fires and targeting government institutions, as well as damaging a police station in Marseille. Security forces have responded "swiftly and decisively", the ministry said. Tear gas has been fired at protesters in multiple locations.

In an update on X, Paris police said: "We do not back down in the face of rioters and those who come to attack the law enforcement forces." They accused "hostile individuals" of targeting police, adding that officers are facing them "with courage and professionalism".

The protests began last ‌month at high schools in Paris ' poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.

A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of the two official demonstrations.

Protesters in hi-vis vests blocked streets, an echo of the unrest that dogged President Emmanuel Macron's previous term, while in Marseille, trash cans were set alight.

"We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions," said a 19-year-old protester in Paris who gave her name as Lola.

The police have drawn criticism for their response due to a grisly list of injuries among demonstrators, including one teenager who had his hand blown off after picking up a stun grenade.