There was widespread tension on the streets of Paris on Saturday as police deployed to the streets during demonstrations against against falling education standards, rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris' poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, falling standards in public services.
Hundreds of protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands set to participate.
The BBC's correspondent Adina Campbell reports live from the Place de la République in Paris.