They are not just in Paris. We have lots of mini protests here in rural Normandy, mostly on Saturdays. They set up beside roundabouts with a fire going and block the traffic for a bit. In our nearest city they have caused a lot of disruption to traffic and shopping centres, but the police / riot police tend to act quite quickly now
It is mostly about diesel prices, but also about taxes and general economic woes.
I feel very sorry for the shopkeepers and especially the market folk. Our elderly neighbour couldn't even get to market to sell her eggs and vegetables. Not sure how the protesters are helping her.