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Several roads have been blocked across France by protestors taking part in the national 鈥榖loquons tout鈥� movement today (September 10), with up to 100,000 people predicted to participate.

Around 300 protestors in Rennes are blocking the city鈥檚 ring road, interrupting traffic, and there have been attempts to blockade ring roads in other cities such as Nantes.

Elsewhere, the A10 near Poitiers has seen a number of attempted blockades, although police officers on the scene are working to minimise disruption.

In Paris, a large gathering of people is taking place at the Gare du Nord station.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced 80,000 police would be deployed in an attempt to defuse any major disruption, and by 10:20 around 200 arrests had been made.

鈥淭he day started very early, but the night was calm,鈥� he said this morning following a crisis meeting about the protests.

He claims the protests are not led by citizens but have been 鈥渃aptured and taken over by the extreme and ultra-left,鈥� who want to use it as an 鈥渋nsurrection鈥� in France.

Early demonstrations and blockades in Lyon and Bordeaux were dealt with by police officers. In Lyon, police officers are reported to have been attacked by protestors throwing large stones.

Protests, marches, and demonstrations are scheduled to take place throughout the day.

In Marseille, riot police are lining up against protestors in central areas of the city.

There were clashes between police and protestors early this morning in Brest.

Strike action across France is so far causing little disruption, although the CGT union 鈥� one of the few to back today鈥檚 action 鈥� says more than 700 strikes are taking place. 

The SNCF noted that high-speed services are running as planned, but that some 鈥渕alicious acts鈥� including damage to cables has delayed some services.

Several smaller blockades 

Blockades are taking place in several smaller towns and villages highlighting the decentralised nature of the protest. 

This includes the occupation of roundabouts and several 鈥榙rive slow鈥� operations seeing drivers block roads. 

Around 100 schools are being blockaded according to student unions, ranging from those in bigger cities such as Lille and Lyon to smaller schools in the Var and Hautes-Pyr茅n茅es. 

However, less than 5% of teachers walked out of schools.

Farmers are also set to join the protests today, with many bringing tractors to support blockades. 

One farmer near Limoges told public service media FranceInfo that he is joining the protests because he is angry at rising inequality.

鈥淭here is anger which is mainly reflected in the growing inequalities we see at all levels of society. We see it in agriculture and in all professions. That is, policies that favour the wealthiest in society,鈥� he said. 

鈥淥ur movement is obviously about demands but it is also about grassroots and friendly people鈥�There is no question of leading to destruction; we have nothing to gain from this,鈥� he added. Major farmers鈥� union FNSEA is planning on co-ordinated action in the autumn, and has not called on members to strike today.