Image source, ReutersThousands of people from left-wing groups are marching in Orléans, a city about 120km (75 miles) south of Paris where the hard-right National Rally party is holding a conference this weekend.
Large numbers of police officers have been deployed to the city and public transport has been suspended.
National Rally’s Marine Le Pen is set to launch her campaign to become France’s next president at the two-day conference.
Opinion polls suggest Le Pen could have her strongest chance yet of becoming president as she runs for a fourth time, despite a court finding her guilty of embezzling EU funds earlier this year.
She has denied committing any offence and is appealing the verdict.
