France's government was facing a day of strikes and protests Thursday set to disrupt transport and schooling across the country as workers oppose a deeply unpopular pensions overhaul.
The changes presented by President Emmanuel Macron's government last week would raise the retirement age for most people to 64 from 62 and increase the years of contributions required for a full pension.
France's trade unions immediately called for a mass mobilisation, which is to be the first time they have united since 12 years ago, when the retirement age was hiked to 62 from 60.
The strikes are expected to bring much of the capital's public transport to a standstill and halt a large proportion of trains throughout France.
Many parents will have to look after their children as 70 per cent of primary school teachers are expected to strike and many schools will close entirely for the day, according to the main teachers' union.
Philippe Martinez, head of the hard-left CGT union, said he hoped for "lots of people in the street and lots of people on strike".
He told broadcaster France 2 that he expected many in the private sector to join with public-sector workers, with "in certain big companies, striker rates that should hover around 60, 70 per cent".
The unions are hoping for over a million demonstrators in more than 200 cities across France.
French media have reported that police are making plans for 550,000 to 750,000 protesters, including 50,000 to 80,000 in Paris.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday that 10,000 police and gendarmes would be on alert, more than a third of them in the capital, including to look out for some 1,000 demonstrators who could be "violent".
Transport Minister Clement Beaune has warned it will be "a hellish Thursday", urging all those who can to work from home.
With Paris metros and buses in disarray, basketball fans could encounter trouble as they try to reach the sold-out NBA Paris Game between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in the northeast of the city.
