France's yellow vests protest movement joined ranks with a major union on Tuesday in a day of protests over taxes and buying power, a first for both.

The Communist-backed CGT union marched from City Hall to the Place de la Concorde with protesters from the yellow vests movement among them.

Similar demonstrations were organised around France.

There were brief scuffles and police fired several rounds of tear gas and cleared those involved from the elegant Place de la Concorde, which borders on the US Embassy.

However, the tension was minimal compared to weekly protests since November by the yellow vest movement to demand fiscal and social justice in a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron.

Yellow vest protesters take their name from the safety vests they wear, required in cars.