France, Jan. 8 -- Around 100 tractors were positioned at several symbolic locations in the capital by 8am local time, including near the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the Interior Ministry said.

Farmers overran police checkpoints to enter the city, driving along the Champs-Elysees and blocking roads around the Arc de Triomphe before dawn, while police surrounded them.

Dozens of tractors also blocked highways leading into Paris ahead of the morning rush hour, including the A13 from the western suburbs and Normandy. The transport minister said the disruption caused traffic jams stretching 150 kilometres.

"We are between resentment and despair. We have a feeling of abandonment, with Mercosur being an example," Stephane Pelletier, ...