Demonstrations continued across France against a proposed labour law, the First Employment Contract (CPE).
France has been hit by a wave of at times violent protests against the CPE, a new contract for under 26-year-olds which can be terminated without motivation during a two-year trial period.
Today, several cars and a shop were set on fire near the Invalides Esplanade in central Paris as students and protestors took to the streets.
Masked youths attacked firemen who came to extinguish
the flames.
Nearby bridges over the river Seine were sealed off as police attempted to clear the esplanade of student demonstrators in order to isolate the groups of rioters.
Some 23,000 young people took part in the afternoon demonstration against the labour law. Other demonstrations took place in the university cities of Tours, Orleans and Marseille.
Earlier, the French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, wrote to French trade unions proposing talks on his contested youth jobs plan.
The date of a meeting has not been fixed but it would probably take place after next Tuesday's day of nationwide protests against the CPE.
In his letter Mr de Villepin said the agenda of the talks should be 'completely open,' according to a copy seen by AFP.
The prime minister has been under mounting pressure to make a gesture towards the protestors, and yesterday told the National Assembly that he was ready to enter discussions 'with an entirely open mind'.
