Police used tear gas and water cannon on yellow vest protesters in central Paris during the ninth straight weekend of anti-government protests.
Violence flared at the end of the mostly-peaceful march near Arc de Triomphe on Saturday as activists hurled bottles and other objects at the security forces.
By Saturday evening more than 100 people had been arrested, mostly for carrying potential weapons or assaults, according to the Interior Ministry.
Officials said around 32,000 people were involved in the protests across the country, including the cities of Bordeaux, Rouen, Marseilles and Toulouse.
Around 6,000 of those marched in Bourges, the city at the centre of France, despite a ban on protests in the historic centre.
The French authorities deployed around 80,000 security forces nationwide, having warned of bringing in tougher punishments for anyone involved in rioting.
In Paris the authorities used armoured vehicles to block protesters from heading to the Champs-Elysees, the famous avenue of luxury shops and restaurants that was hit by rioting during past protests.
Horses and attack dogs were also stationed around the city while Subway stations and some shops closed, notably around government buildings and the Champs-Elysees, the sparkling avenue whose luxury boutiques have been hit by repeated rioting in past protests.
Tear gas and water cannon were also used in Lyon, le Mans, Caen and Bordeaux.
The yellow vest, or gilets jaunes, movement began in November as a protest against increases in fuel tax but has since grown into a wider revolt against president Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies.
Mr Macron has promised billions of euros in tax relief and a “national debate” to address demonstrators’ concerns.
He is expected to set forward his latest proposals in a “letter to the French” on Monday.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
