Vehicles burn in Paris as "yellow vest" protest continues overnight

The "yellow vest" protest continued well into Saturday night in central Paris and saw vehicles and barricades set on fire and other destruction along the famous Champs-Elysées.

Earlier, thousands of anti-government protesters repeatedly clashed with French police, hurling rocks and building barricades across the road.

Police responded with tear gas and water cannon.

The protests began a week ago as a demonstration against President Emmanuel Macron's increase in diesel tax but have since morphed into broader opposition to the centrist leader.