Twenty-six people were hurt and authorities made 15 arrests Tuesday as protests in Paris over disputed labour reforms descended into violent clashes between riot police and masked troublemakers.
Police fired water cannon in southern Paris to quell rioters as “several hundred” masked protesters lobbed objects at police in bloody scenes in the French capital.
The clashes erupted as the international spotlight was on France as the host of the Euro 2016 football championships, which have also been marred by violence between fans.
Strikes closed the Eiffel Tower and disrupted transport links as tens of thousands of fans pour into the country for Europe’s showcase football event.
During the Paris unrest, several demonstrators stormed a building site and hurled wooden palettes at riot police.
Pictures showed one man being led away by officers in riot gear with blood streaming from a wound above his eye, his white T-shirt splattered with blood.
The strike is the latest in months of industrial action that has seen air and rail transport severely disrupted, fuel shortages and rubbish piled up on the streets of Paris.
“I’ve been to all the demos since March because I want to live in dignity, not just survive,” said Aurelien Boukelmoune, a 26-year-old technician marching in Paris.
