Protesters and French police clashed in Paris on Tuesday over a planned change of labour laws that also saw a union strike close down the Eiffel Tower on the same day.

Several hundred masked protesters threw stones and makeshift bombs at police. Police used water cannons and tear gas to quell the demonstrations.  The Paris police department made over 50 arrests, reports Reuters.

Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower was closed to the public as unions went on strike demanding that the labour laws be changed.

"The Eiffel Tower is closed today due to the national strike," the Eiffel Tower’s website stated.

The proposed labour laws have triggered months of demonstrations as the Government claims that the reform is aimed to reign in chronic unemployment.

However, unions and student unions have criticized the proposed labour law changes saying that it will increase unemployment and weaken job security.

President Francois Hollande has maintained that the Government will not abandon the proposed law labour reforms.