Meanwhile, some 13,000 people joined a rally against the hard-right National Rally (RN) party in the north-central city of Orléans, which proceeded peacefully.

The recent unrest has played out against a backdrop of a polarised political landscape, with France preparing for what could be the most divisive election period in a generation.

Macron will leave office next spring and polls suggest French voters will ultimately face a choice between RN’s candidate Marine Le Pen and that of the radical-left La France Insoumise (France Unbowed).

Leading figures from both parties have levelled the blame for the disorder at Macron, though right-wing figures have also heaped criticism on rioters while left-wing leaders support the union-led protests.

LFI candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon said French media had not covered the peaceful protests while police had created “a setup deliberately designed to provoke chaos” that had “mutilated two people”.

Mass protests triggered by similar issues as in France also rocked several other European cities on Saturday.

In Barcelona, more than 120 people were arrested after a student protest descended into what local authorities described as “gratuitous violence”.

In Albania’s capital Tirana, riot police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators, while clashes were also reported in Belgium’s capital Brussels.

In Milan, northern Italy, a major security operation including hundreds of soldiers alongside police prevented protesters gathering in the city. Many had feared a repeat of violent scenes last week when some started fires, smashed windows and looted shops.