At least 87 protesters were arrested in the French capital by evening as the protests wound down.

Unions launched the open-ended, nationwide walkout over President Emmanuel Macron's centerpiece reform in the biggest challenge to the centrist leader since the yellow vest movement against economic inequality erupted a year ago.

Opponents fear the changes to how and when workers can retire will threaten the hard-fought French way of life. Macron himself remained "calm and determined" to push it through, according to a top presidential official.