First clashes in Paris between yellow vests, which started with several marches from different districts of the capital, and police, with tear gas bombs by the police who have already stopped a total of 154 people at noon.
Tension immediately rose around the Champs-Elysees, avenue de Wagram, where the yellow vests tried to gather despite the prefecture's absolute ban on gathering around the grand avenue and institutional sites.
The prefect has launched an appeal for respect for social distancing and health rules.
"We cannot have looting and chaos on the Champs-Elysees" Prefect Didier Lallement said this morning, explaining the prohibition of "any gathering" around the famous avenue, the Elysée, the Assemblée Nationale and the seat of government, building Matignon. Police say they expect 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators, 1,000 of them potentially dangerous. On social networks, 2,300 have so far guaranteed their membership. Jerome Rodrigues, one of the leaders of the movement, called for "complete civil disobedience", in particular by refusing to show identity documents to the police.