More than 250 people have been arrested by police in Paris during the first yellow vest protest since the start of France's coronavirus outbreak.

The "Gilets Jaunes" are taking part in their first "national day of action" since the protest movement was put on hold because of COVID-19. Their last gathering took place on March 14 – three days before France went into lockdown.

Officers in riot gear have already fired tear gas at demonstrators along the Avenue de Wagram in Paris's 17th arrondissement, while another march takes place outside the capital's stock exchange.

Police have banned demonstrations spreading to the nearby Champs Elysees after its famous Arc de Triomphe monument was defaced during previous yellow vests marches.

Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said some 8,500 people had rallied across the country, 2,500 of them in Paris. He said most demonstrations had passed off peacefully.

Police had made 256 arrests by 6 p.m. (1600 GMT), with many for carrying items like tools that could be used as weapons.

The "yellow vests," named after motorists' high-visibility jackets, emerged in late 2018 in protest against fuel taxes and the cost of living, posing a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron as demonstrations spread across France.

"I didn't back the yellow vests at first but things have only got worse for people in poverty," said a 53-year-old man calling himself Dodo, who attended the Toulouse protest.

"Nothing's changed after two years of struggle."

Didier Lallement, prefect of Paris police, has urged demonstrators "not to break things" and to respect social distancing measures amid France's rising coronavirus infection rate.

France has had 10,561 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, health authorities said on Saturday, a new daily record as the number topped 10,000 for the first time.

The latest daily count, surpassing the previous record of 9,843 new infections reported on Thursday, highlights a resurgence of the disease in France.

(With input from agencies)