Hundreds of arrests were made after 17,000 hit the streets of Paris to protest about President Francois Hollande's leadership.

Nineteen police officers were injured after what had been a peaceful demonstration turned violent, police said.

The number of detentions and injuries is higher than other recent protests concerning Mr. Hollande, whose handling of the economy has caused anger in France.

Some 50 associations were involved, including conservative and far right groups.

Those demonstrating also included supporters of provocateur-comic Dieudonne, who has been convicted repeatedly for anti-Semitism and racism.

Valerie Trierweiler has gone to India to visit malnourished children

The protests come as France's former first lady Valerie Trierweiler - who split up with Mr. Hollande two days ago following his alleged affair with actress Julie Gayet - visits India to draw attention to malnourished children.

Mrs. Trierweiler, a career journalist, arrived in Mumbai on Sunday to fulfil a long-standing commitment.

She visited a hospital pediatric ward on Monday where she cuddled and kissed children while speaking with mothers about nutrition.

The trip is her first public outing since she was hospitalised last week with what aides described as shock following a tabloid's publication of photos it said proved her husband was having an affair.