Closure of the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. Protests sweep France as Macron sticks to pension overhaul

Large crowds in Paris and other French cities took to the streets on Thursday in the first mass demonstrations since President Emmanuel Macron sparked public anger by forcing parliament to pass a bill to raise the retirement age without a vote.

Strikes have disrupted travel in France, with protesters blocking train stations, Charles de Gaulle airport, some refineries and ports, clashing with police and throwing projectiles at a police station in a day of protests across France.

More than 250 protests were held across the country, and trade union leaders hailed the "large" mobilization.

In Paris, tens of thousands gathered on the Place de la Bastille in a cheerful atmosphere, many waving flags to the sounds of the usual protest songs as they marched through the capital.

Many chanted, "We are here, even if Macron doesn't want it, we are here!"

In the western city of Rennes, scuffles broke out between some participants and police who used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the "unacceptable attacks and damage" at a government building and a police station in the western city of Lorient. "These acts cannot go unpunished," he wrote on Twitter.

The movement of high-speed and regional trains, the Paris metro and public transport systems in other major cities was disrupted. About 30% of flights at Paris-Orly airport were cancelled.

The Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles were also closed on Thursday due to strikes.

Protesters blocked major highways and intersections to slow traffic across major cities.

Thursday's events marked the ninth round of nationwide demonstrations and strikes called by France's eight main trade unions since January.

Violence has escalated in recent days in small, sporadic protests against pension reform and Macron's leadership, in contrast to large, peaceful demonstrations organized by unions until then.

Social unrest in France is casting a shadow over Britain's first overseas visit by Britain's King Charles III, scheduled for next week, with striking workers refusing to provide the red carpets needed for the visit and removing garbage piling up on the streets of Paris.