Thousands of Parisians take to the streets to protest.     
       
Across the nation, around 200 demonstrations with a million protesters saw France voice their discontent at the government's plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 62.             

Demonstrators argued that the change, due to come in by 2018, would hit the poorest hardest.           
 
[Phillip Lengrand, Protester]:
"There are very many of us here to demonstrate today as you can see for a reform of the pension system that is just. What they're suggesting to us today, what they're suggesting to the citizens is a reform that's unjust. It's going to penalize the more fragile and the weakest."          
  
Parisians are no stranger to strikes, which take place about once every six weeks.             
But while many French support their aims, commuters were frustrated with the disruption to transport.       
     
French media said that up to 50 percent of trains were cancelled due to the strikes- called by the country's four main trade unions.       
     
One commuter said they shouldn't be allowed to strike.           
 
[Mrs Bellato, Commuter]: 
"They are taking us hostage everyday, this is such a pity. They are well paid. They are cozy. This is unacceptable. We should prevent them from going on strike." 
           
The strikes are the first big test of the government's plans to reform the pension system as it struggles to contain its mammoth debt and budget deficit.