Fiery clashes erupt in Paris as thousands march against labour reforms

French riot police fired teargas and stun grenades in clashes in Paris with angry opponents of labour reforms, in an outbreak of violence over the controversial new laws.

Four demonstrators and 15 police were hurt - including two officers who sustained burns due to Molotov cocktails - as tens of thousands rallied on Thursday against the law forced through by the Socialist government.

Police used water cannon and tear gas as protests also turned violent in Nantes in western France, one of at least 10 provincial cities which saw rallies.

“The violence is unacceptable,” said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, noting that police had arrested 62 people across the country, 32 of whom were kept in custody.

Authorities said some 78,000 people rallied overall nationwide, including 13,000 in Paris. Organisers put numbers across France at around 170,000, saying 40,000 protested in Paris.

The law aimed at loosening France’s notoriously rigid employment laws was forced through in July after months of often violent protests. In all 620 police have been injured since the protests started, said Cazeneuve.