France Aflame: Rioters devastate historic landmark as protests rock Paris

Rioters angered by rising costs clashed with police, blocked roads and set fires in major cities across France on Saturday ahead of the presidential election.

In Limoges, a town three hours south of Paris, the historic town hall built in late 1800s was set afire and mostly destroyed by demonstrators.

"The roof has collapsed onto lower floors, except the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared," local official Maurice Barate, told AFP.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that French broadcasters CNews and Europe 1 in western Paris had their office windows smashed when protesters threw projectiles.

Police shot a "water cannon and teargas after hundreds of protesters, most wearing face masks and some setting off fireworks, confronted them at several locations," AFP reported.

The protestors, angered by the rising cost of living, have also tried to block roads, reports said. 

Police had to push out protesters who entered the town hall of France's second-largest city of Marseille, reports said.