Clashes flared in cities throughout France on Saturday as fresh protests targeted school problems and rising living expenses.

Authorities detained at least 1,200 individuals amid what officials called a sharp rise in disorder, while roughly 550,000 demonstrators filled the streets.

Paris saw extended confrontations with riot police deploying tear gas and water cannon well into the night.

Fires damaged structures in the capital and elsewhere, such as Limoges where flames at the town hall led to partial roof failure.

Several cities experienced looting along with vandalism aimed at municipal buildings and commercial sites.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that 150 officers sustained injuries during the disturbances.

The central procession in Paris stayed mostly calm through the afternoon, with a group of youths describing themselves to the BBC as pacifists seeking change that has yet to arrive.

In Saint-Étienne a young man suffered the loss of his hand from a small blast, according to Mayor Régis Juanico, who called the incident a tragedy that should have been avoided.

Student actions over recent weeks have focused on teacher shortages and poor conditions in secondary schools for ages 15 to 18.

Union members and additional activist groups have joined the student efforts.

Among them are participants from the gilets jaunes movement, known for sustained demonstrations against higher living costs that lasted over a year beginning in 2018.

The interior ministry noted that Saturday's events featured deliberate violence by masked individuals in locations such as sections of Paris plus Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.

Property damage occurred in cities including Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.

Retail outlets selling clothing and food were targeted in Paris, and an Apple store in Lille was entered and cleared.

Verified footage captured a tourist train in Grenoble operated by masked individuals moving along a tight central street toward several riot police.