Police in Mantes-la-Jolie west of Paris took 146 protesters in custody after a night of violence outside a local college, media reported on Thursday.
Students gathered in front of Lycee Saint-Exupery on Wednesday night to protest against education reforms and to support the wider "yellow vest" movement, according to France Info.
The demonstration turned violent after two cars were set on fire and clashes with police erupted. This led to detentions on Thursday morning.
Education and Youth Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer pleaded with students not to take part in protest violence after last Saturday’s rallies in Paris escalated into street fights, with radicals hurling stones at riot police who responded with tear gas and water cannon.