France: Yellow vest protests turns violent in Paris

After weeks of declining participation, France's "yellow vest" protest movement attempted to rebound on Saturday with a major rally in Paris which quickly turned violent.

A large crowd gathered on the Champs-Elysées avenue for the 18th straight week of anti-government protests which initially rocked President Emmanuel Macron's administration, forcing him to adopt more anti-poverty measures, but had appeared to fizzle in recent weeks.

French police fired tear gas and arrested dozens on Saturday in clashes with protesters as the yellow vest movement sought to inject new impetus into its four-month-old revolt against President Emmanuel Macron and his pro-business reforms.

Protesters ransacked the famed Fouquet's brasserie, overturning tables, and smashing up glass tables.

Police also used water cannons and had arrested more than 30 protesters by late morning as tensions flared at the top of Paris’ upmarket Champs Elysee avenue, where the windows of a high-end restaurant were smashed.

Saturday's attempted reboot coincides with the end of two months of public debates called by Macron to take the heat out of the protests, which repeatedly ended in rioting in December and January.

Last week, only around 28,000 people demonstrated nationwide, according to the authorities, a tenth of the numbers that turned out for the inaugural protest on November 17.

In December, Macron attempted to stopper the movement by pledging 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) in tax cuts and benefits for the low paid and pensioners.

He also launched a "grand national debate" on the internet and town hall meetings to gather opinions on how the country could be reformed.

The protest is one of several planned in Paris on Saturday, where French climate campaigners are also planning a "March of The Century".

The rally started off peaceful, with some protesters carrying signs expressing solidarity with the victims of Friday's mosque shooting in New Zealand.