Officials have so far managed to avoid rioting and looting on the scale seen last weekend, which resulted in some of the worst scenes of disorder in France's modern history. Around 550,000 people took part in those previous demonstrations against rising fuel prices and the cost of living, with frustrations escalating after weeks of student protests.
During the latest demonstrations, some protesters in dark clothing and face coverings were seen taking boards off a building to build a street barricade in the southern city of Bordeaux. A law enforcement vehicle was also seen driving through a burning barricade in France's second-largest city.
President Emmanuel Macron had decreed earlier this week that only demonstrations organised by recognised trade unions would be permitted, while restrictions were put in place to prevent a recurrence of chaos that previously saw officers outnumbered, hundreds of businesses looted, and buildings torched.
Protests related to the movement also took place in other European countries. In Milan, northern Italy, a major security operation including hundreds of soldiers alongside police prevented protesters gathering in the city.
Hundreds of people have been jailed for vandalism, arson, and looting after fast-track court hearings in recent days.
French authorities deployed some 70,000 police officers and imposed restrictions in several cities as hundreds of thousands of people took part in new demonstrations over the cost of living and poor school conditions.