Police have arrested more than 200 people during disturbances on the fringes of the Paris demonstration against a new youth jobs law. Up to 387 in total have been arrested in separate demonstrations throughout France today.
Police in Paris used teargas and water cannon to disperse crowds gathered at the Place de la Republique in the northeast of the capital following the marches. Protestors have since gone home.
Police estimated that at least one million people were participating in marches nationwide against the labour law, which was created to encourage companies to hire workers aged under 26 but makes it easier to fire them.
However, a union leader said three million people had joined in the protests across the country, while other union figures indicated at least two million participants.
A one-day national strike over the controversial law disrupted transport and public services from early today.
The protests forced the Eiffel Tower to close to tourists, while commuters around the country faced delays on public transport and airports were disrupted.
Opponents of the so-called First Job Contract (CPE) say it will create a generation of throwaway workers and will fail in its aim of reducing high unemployment among youngsters.
Air and rail travel were badly hit by the action.
Ryanair cancelled most of its flights to and from France today, while Aer Lingus said earlier there had no cancellations, but there were delays of one to two hours this morning.
