Paris protests: More than 100 injured during violent clashes in French capital over rising fuel taxes

Demonstrators angry about high costs of living started fires, threw rocks and sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe

More than 100 people have been injured in Paris as France's most violent urban riot in more than a decade engulfed parts of the capital.

Demonstrators angry about rising taxes started fires, sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe, looted stores and threw stones at officers. It was the third weekend in a row they had clashed with police.

Paris police said at least 110 people, including 20 police officers, were injured in the violent protests and 224 others were arrested.

A movement that began with motorists demonstrating against a hike in fuel tax now involves a range of demands relating to France’s high cost of living and opposition to President Emmanuel Macron.

"Yellow jacket" protesters piled up planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe, and set the debris ablaze.

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to push back the protesters who gathered around the Arc, and some responded by throwing large rocks.

Others removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War, under the monument, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem before being dispersed by police.

Graffiti sprayed onto the Arc de Triomphe proclaimed “Yellow jackets will triumph,” in reference to the fluorescent vests protesters wear. French law requires drivers to carry them in their cars.

Mr Macron denounced the violence from the G20 summit in Argentina, saying those who attacked police and vandalized the Arc will be "held responsible for their acts". He said he will hold an emergency government meeting on Sunday on the protests.

"(Violence) has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of a legitimate anger" and "no cause justifies" attacks on police or pillaging stores and burning buildings, Mr Macron said in Buenos Aires. He refused to answer any questions from journalists about the situation in Paris.

French prime minister Edouard Philippe said some protesters attacked police forces “with a rarely seen violence”, leading to the arrest of hundreds.

Speaking at Paris police headquarters, Mr Philippe said over 5,000 protesters were on and around the Champs-Elysees avenue.

Authorities said 5,000 police were deployed in Paris to try to contain the protests.

Meanwhile, several hundred peaceful protesters passed through police checkpoints to reach the Champs-Elysees behind a banner with the words: “Macron, stop taking us for stupid people”.

Access to the Champs-Elysees was closed to cars and strictly monitored by police with identity checks and bag inspections.

Rabah Mendez, a protester who came from a southern suburb to march peacefully in Paris, said: “People say it’s difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes and we are fed up.”

Paris resident Hedwige Lebrun said: “Our purchasing power is severely diminishing every day. And then: taxes, taxes and taxes. And the state is asking us to tighten our belts, but they on the other hand live totally above all reasonable standards with our money.”

All subway stations in and around the famous avenue were closed for security reasons, Paris public transport company RATP said.

The clashes in Paris contrasted with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful.

Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees.

Since the movement kicked off in mid-November, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests.

Mr Macron has stated the plans to raise fuel costs were part of a wider transition to a low-carbon economy in an effort to tackle global warming.

However, he said he understood the grievances expressed by protesters and promised to listen to proposals for ways to proceed without leaving people worse off.

Other commitments made by the president included a pledge to close the last four coal-fired power plants and invest billions of euros in renewable energy.

Additional reporting by AP