Shocking videos show a mass of so-called Yellow Vest protesters flooding streets in the french capital and setting roads and monuments on fire as demonstrations marked their one year anniversary since demonstrations were triggered by young French President Emmanuel Macron’s crippling 23 percent fuel hike. Meanwhile, in Nantes riot police armed with batons and shields race among the streets past a cathedral after protesters – also in black – who can be seen smashing bus shelter windows, lighting flares and openly scrawling graffiti on their own makeshift shields. One witness described the atmosphere in Nantes as “very, very tense”.
In another shocking video, a typically quaint French cafe is targeted by demonstrators who pick up outdoor seating and hurl it at windows to smash them while others kick over parasols.
The full extent of the damage is shown in horrifying images.
One shows shops that had already been boarded up due to previous damage ripped apart and broken into.
Shop windows have been smashed and graffiti has been scrawled on the interior walls.
Paris was in flames today due to violent anti-Macron protesters (Image: GETTY/TWITTER)
Shop windows have been smashed and graffiti has been scrawled on the interior (Image: TWITTER)
Other images show violent clashes between the protesters and the police with stunningly bright flares erupting out from the black smoke from fires started.
Yellow Vest protesters have brought France to its knees as punishment for Mr Macron’s fuel hike since last November.
Iconic monuments including the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe have been vandalised by protesters, who have also gutted cars and buildings after setting them on fire.
Mr Macron admitted he was “arrogant” for not acknowledging the chaos before it crisis point with the tragic deaths of nine people caught up in the protests.
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Meanwhile, in Nantes riot police armed with batons and shields race among the streets (Image: TWITTER)
Earlier in April, he scrapped a press conference at which he was due to talk about the protests, during which thousands have taken to the streets of large French cities in what began as demonstrations against petrol prices, before broadening out into a broader expression of anti-establishment sentiments.
The French economy has suffered – and has since struggled to regain its momentum with tourism down and Mr Macron’s own personal target of 100million tourists by the year 2020 now ruled completely unachievable.
Despite offering the protesters sweeteners in the form of more benefits for the elderly and tax cuts, he blamed Brexit for the mayhem two months ago.
The protests, named after motorists’ high-visibility yellow jackets, have morphed into a sometimes violent revolt against politicians and a government they see as out of touch.
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In another shocking video, a typically quaint French cafe is targeted (Image: TWITTER)
Other images show violent clashes between the protesters and the police (Image: TWITTER)
Many in the grassroots movement, which lacks a leadership structure, have said Mr Macron’s proposals this week did not go far enough and lacked details.
Paris has been at the centre of violent protests from campaigners dubbed Les Gilets Jaunes, or yellow vests.
The violence usually takes place every Saturday and some Sundays.
Mr Macron tried to ban the Yellow vest protests, but this was unsuccessful.
Shocking videos show a mass of so-called Yellow Vest protesters flooding streets (Image: GETTY)
The British Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Paris in light of the ongoing protests.
They warn that the mass action usually takes place on a Saturday.
The recommendations warn: “A number of previous demonstrations have led to violence and extensive damage to property in Paris and in other cities across the country.
“If demonstrations do turn violent, a heavy police/gendarmerie presence is to be expected.
The full extent of the damage is shown in horrifying images (Image: TWITTER)
“Motorists travelling through France may continue to experience some delays or blockages caused by local demonstrators – you should drive with caution as protestors may be present on roads, motorways and toll booths.
“In all cases, you should avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.”