Protesters have taken to the streets in Paris and over 200 other locations across France to denounce spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the wealthy.

The nationwide strike, called by France's major unions, led to the closure of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday.

Thousands of workers, retirees, and students marched in Paris, urging new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to abandon proposed budget measures that include social welfare freezes.

Public transport employees, teachers and health care workers joined the strike, but fewer people responded compared to last month.

The French Interior Ministry reported 85-thousand protesters outside Paris by midday.

AP Video by Michel Euler