Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend.

The demonstration in the capital was largely peaceful for most of the day, but later in the afternoon police fired tear gas on protesters near Boulevard de Strasbourg, close to the capital's Gare du Nord and Gare de L'Est railway stations.

Skirmishes also erupted in cities including Lille in northern France, and Toulouse and Montpellier in the south, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

For the first time this Saturday, the government deployed "Operation Sentinelle" military units to back up police after shops on the capital's famous Champs Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised during last weekend's protests.

Protesters were banned from gathering on the Champs Elysees this Saturday, but demonstrators gathered in other parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, they marched from Denfert Rochereau in southern Paris up to the Sacre Coeur church in the north.

A yellow awning was briefly draped across the top of the Sacre Coeur, before being taken down by authorities.

Turnout estimates for this week's demonstrations were due to be announced later on Saturday.

The "yellow vests" protests, named after the high-visibility vests French drivers have to keep in their cars and worn by protesters, began in November after public anger against fuel tax rises.

The movement has morphed into a broader backlash against Macron's government, despite it scrapping the fuel taxes, and it has often been marred by violent clashes and looting.

Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend.

Police and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities on Saturday as "yellow vest" protests against President Emmanuel Macron's government took place for a 19th consecutive weekend. The demonstration in the capital was largely peaceful for most of the day, but later in the afternoon police fired tear gas on protesters near Boulevard de Strasbourg, close to the capital's Gare du Nord and Gare de L'Est railway stations. Skirmishes also erupted in cities including Lille in northern France, and Toulouse and Montpellier in the south, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. For the first time this Saturday, the government deployed "Operation Sentinelle" military units to back up police after shops on the capital's famous Champs Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised during last weekend's protests. Protesters were banned from gathering on the Champs Elysees this Saturday, but demonstrators gathered in other parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, they marched from Denfert Rochereau in southern Paris up to the Sacre Coeur church in the north. A yellow awning was briefly draped across the top of the Sacre Coeur, before being taken down by authorities. Turnout estimates for this week's demonstrations were due to be announced later on Saturday. The "yellow vests" protests, named after the high-visibility vests French drivers have to keep in their cars and worn by protesters, began in November after public anger against fuel tax rises. The movement has morphed into a broader backlash against Macron's government, despite it scrapping the fuel taxes, and it has often been marred by violent clashes and looting.

Clashes break out in latest French 'yellow vest' protests

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday convened a cabinet meeting for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-mulls-state-of-emergency-after-paris-riots-wont-change-policy-180924">crisis talks</a> a day after Paris saw its worst unrest in a decade on Saturday.

Macron went earlier to the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday after one of France's most revered monuments was vandalised by rioters, with the government considering a state of emergency after the worst bout of unrest in years.

Masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968, posing the most formidable challenge to Macron's 18-month-old presidency, reported news agency AFP.

Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south, the report added.

The rebellion erupted on November 17 as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes.&nbsp;

It spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday convened a cabinet meeting for crisis talks a day after Paris saw its worst unrest in a decade on Saturday. Macron went earlier to the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday after one of France's most revered monuments was vandalised by rioters, with the government considering a state of emergency after the worst bout of unrest in years.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday convened a cabinet meeting for crisis talks a day after Paris saw its worst unrest in a decade on Saturday. Macron went earlier to the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday after one of France's most revered monuments was vandalised by rioters, with the government considering a state of emergency after the worst bout of unrest in years. Masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968, posing the most formidable challenge to Macron's 18-month-old presidency, reported news agency AFP. Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south, the report added. The rebellion erupted on November 17 as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes. It spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots.

French President Macron begins crisis talks with ministers a day after 'Yellow Jacket' protest turned violent 

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Clashes break out in latest French 'yellow vest' protests

French President Macron begins crisis talks with ministers a day after 'Yellow Jacket' protest turned violent