Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across France to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron’s presidency.

Thousands of police were deployed nationwide to contain the demonstrations, including a tense protest at the foot of the Champs-Elysees where protesters wielded placards reading “Death to Taxes” and upturned a large vehicle.

No-one was injured in the clashes, but six were arrested for “throwing projectiles”, Paris Police told the Associated Press.

“It’s going to trigger a civil war and me, like most other citizens, we’re all ready,” said Benjamin Vrignaud, a 21-year-old protester from Chartres.

The Champs-Elysees alone was flooded with 5000 protestors, with 23,000 protesters in total nationwide.

In a week of demonstrations that have dominated news coverage, hundreds have been injured and two people died in accidents stemming from the protests.