The 20th weekend of anti-government protests saw only sporadic clashes, in a major scale-down from the 40,500-strong marches last week.

Paris police made 37 arrests and conducted over 14,000 searches, including 7,000 on the off-limits Champs Elysees. A total of 103 people were arrested nationwide, and 56 were taken into custody.

Protests began last November over a rise in fuel tariffs, before morphing into a general outcry at high living costs.

An outbreak of violence two weeks ago prompted authorities in Paris to ban yellow vest protests near the presidential residence, the parliament and on the Champs Elysees.