Tear gas at Triomphe

WATER cannons and tear gas were used on demonstrators around the Arc de Triomphe yesterday – in the ninth weekend of French yellow vest protests.

Witnesses said members of the “gilet jaunes” movement had been pelting police with stones and paint near the 19th century monument in Paris.

The centre of the capital was in lockdown against a feared eruption of violence as thousands protested against economic reforms.

By mid-afternoon there had been no major clashes, but more than 50 people were arrested.