In video footage posted on social media, riot police can be seen backing away from protesters walking with Palestinian flags.
Police estimated there were around 18,000 marchers in the city alone, and over 121,000 across the country, although France's hard-left CGT union reported different numbers.
Its secretary-general Sophie Binet posted to X, "A festive and combative May 1st! 50,000 in Paris, 13,000 in Lyon, 8000 in Marseille, 2000 in Nancy…and 50 in Bayeux, Pierrelatte or Bollene. In total, more than 200,000 demonstrators throughout France mobilized for their rights, their freedoms and for better salaries."
There were reportedly differing causes for the protests-turned-riots. Some marching were upset over the cost of living in the country and the reform of unemployment benefits, and some were there with Palestinian flags.
The Fox News anchor covering the footage of the riots called May Day a "celebration of communism."
"We don't have exact details on all the grievances they might have there in [France], might be their very short work week and the fact that they get to retire at 62 which is basically putting their country into a terrible situation financially," she said.
"This can become a very hot day," the other anchor replied.
Despite the chaos that occurred, authorities reported that the demonstrations were much more tamer than last year's, according to Reuters. Last year, French anarchists set fire to vehicles to protest President Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
