French strikers have gone to war with the government over plans to extend the retirement age.

The pension plan strikes have crippled train services and flight traffic in France, and are expected to severely disrupt all forms of daily life, especially in Paris.

Public transport, banks and the postal service have also been hit, with many employees taking to the streets to object to the presentation of the pension reform bill to parliament.

Under current rules, both men and women in France can retire at 60, providing they have paid social security contributions for 40.5 years; although they are not entitled to a full pension until they are 65.

The government plans to raise the retirement age to 62, the qualification to 41.5 years, and the pension age to 67.