France protests: demonstrators vow to shake government

Police and protesters clashed in Paris and other French cities Saturday, sending smoke from fires and tear gas over several demonstrations nationwide against high prices in the run-up to elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron.

Masked youths set a tourism office in the city of Lyon ablaze, as riot squads resorted to tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds confronting them.

In the second-largest city of Marseille, protesters broke into the town hall, overturning a bust and smashing furniture before being forced out by police, AFP journalists saw. The mayor called for police reinforcements.

In the northern city of Lille, protesters smashed their way into the mayor's office and vandalised the premises before leaving.

In Paris, tens of thousands marched across the east and north of the city, some shouting "Everyone hates the police" and "Macron, resign".

"For years we've had climate, economy and equality problems but the government is not doing anything about it," said Agnes, a 50-year-old actor who did not give her second name, as she marched.

High school student Kamil Alahyan, 18, said he was protesting "for so many reasons -- the elections coming up in 2027, politicians who lie, the ultra-rich who've been taking more and more wealth over the past 10 years".

Many of the demonstrators complained about inflation sent soaring over three percent by the war in the Middle East.

Others slammed perceived police brutality in student protests that have gripped France over the past four weeks.

The combined unrest of both protest movements makes for a febrile climate as the country heads towards presidential elections in six months' time.

Opposition politicians vying to succeed Macron have seized upon the protests.

Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who has sided with the police, said on X: "Looting, pillaging, attacking police -- rioters have once again sullied the October 17 demonstrations over the cost of living."

She claimed that the protesters' demands had been "hijacked by the far left".