Smoke and tear gas hang in air as riot police face off with protesters in Paris

Thousands of anti-government "yellow vest" protesters repeatedly clashed with French police on the Champs-Elyséea in Paris on Saturday, hurling rocks and building barricades across the road.

This video shows protesters facing off with riot police with tear gas and smoke still hanging in the air close to the Arc de Triomphe.

Police responded with tear gas and water cannon.

The protests began a week ago as a demonstration against President Emmanuel Macron's increase in diesel tax but have since morphed into broader opposition to the centrist leader.