Police fired tear gas to push back black-clad anarchists who ransacked business premises in the French capital Paris on Sunday during May Day protests against the policies of newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron, reports FRANCE 24.
Thousands of people joined May Day marches across France in which they called for salary increases and for Macron to drop his plan to raise the retirement age.
Most were peaceful but violence broke out in Paris, where police had made 29 arrests so far, interior minister Gérald Darmanin said on Twitter.
Clashes with police broke out at the start of the march near La République Square and when it reached La Nation square in eastern Paris.
"Black Bloc" anarchists ransacked a McDonald's restaurant on the Place Léon Blum and trashed several real estate agencies, breaking their windows and setting garbage bins on fire.
Police said activists had even attacked firemen, trying to put out fires. Police responded by firing tear gas.
About 250 rallies were organised in Paris and other cities including Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille. In the capital, trade unionists were joined by political figures - mostly from the Left - and climate activists.