Protesters have focused their anger on French President Emmanuel Macron, who they blame for the rising cost of living and record-high oil prices.

Protests by young people in northern cities ended in riots as farmers and truckers in the south, angered by high gas prices, stopped commercial traffic.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Sunday evening as communities reeled from one of the most violent nights of unrest in recent years after largely peaceful anti-government protests descended into rioting,

French student union spokesperson Alice Cohen-Morzadec says the protests reflect growing anger over Macron's policies.

Student demonstrations over education converged with broader protests against rising living costs and a luxury development linked to Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.

France is reeling from its worst rioting in years after nationwide protests over education and the cost of living spiraled into a wave of deadly, country-wide violence that has sparked a blame game at home and threatens to spill over into its European neighbors.

Protests broke out in France and several European countries as people railed against living costs, poor schooling conditions, and a housing crisis.

French poltician Patrick Molinoz, vice-president of the French Mayoral Association claims that recent violence in France was "planned", citing a "certain" Russian intereference.