Fires burned on the streets of Paris on Thursday (March 16) night as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters following the introduction of an unpopular pensions bill in the French National Assembly, Reuters reports.
At least one car was burning, along with piles of rubbish and debris, in the streets near the Place de la Concorde.
Some protesters were seen throwing cobble stones and shooting flares at police where local media reported at least 217 people were arrested, according to authorities.
The demonstration was across the river Seine from parliament, where Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne earlier on Thursday announced her government would push through the reform using a special constitution clause.
The move will ensure the bill raising the retirement age by two years to 64 is adopted after weeks of protests and fractious debate.
