"The situation is under control," Castaner said, adding "...but totally unacceptable."
"Time for dialogue. This dialogue has begun, it must continue. The French nation must find itself. No tax can threaten national unity," said Prime Minister Philippe, noting that President Emmanuel Macron would propose further measures to abate the social anger.
After a calm start, tension flared in Les Grands Boulevards and streets near the Champs Elysees and the Republic Square where a group of hooded men joined the protest and hassled police by setting barricades and setting afire garbage bins and trees.
Scores of vehicles were burnt and shops damaged, forcing the police to fire tear gas and use water cannon to push back the rioters.
Armoured vehicles were also deployed for the first time in the capital since Paris suburbs riot in 2005 amid intensified security measures that the government implemented to avoid the chaos two weeks ahead of the peak of Christmas holidays.
--IANS vin/pgh/
