Police clash with protesters as tens of thousands take to streets across France

Police fire teargas in Paris and protesters storm town hall in Marseille – with officials blaming violence on ‘ultra-left’

Police have fired teargas and clashed with protesters as tens of thousands took to the streets across France over high prices and the fraying of a social welfare system meant to provide a basic level of opportunity and security.

In Marseille, protesters stormed the town hall, ramming the door with security barriers they removed from the street. They briefly managed to enter the municipal building, where a protester spray-painted an “A” for anarchy on a wall before the police removed them.