MORE FROM FRANCE: ‘Student’ riots rock France as masked men torch schools and douse teachers in petrol.

Rioters have unleashed chaos in major cities across the country after what started as largely peaceful demonstrations against the state of education descended into violent chaos.

Protests began last Monday, when students and teaching staff took to French towns and cities to demand the replacement of absent teachers, an increase of educational resources, school renovations and ‘decent’ learning conditions.

But disorder has spread since Tuesday with some 600 arrests and 85 police officers wounded.

The unrest gathered pace this week after the Left-wing mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, told protesters on Tuesday ‘violence can be legitimate’ in remarks that sparked fury across the country.

French Mayor Bally Bagayoko in action today:

And earlier today: “I want to salute the decision of the Communist Alternative movement to join the initiative carried by La France Insoumise and its candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the context of the upcoming presidential elections.”