PARIS — Demonstrators rallying in support of protesters in Greece scuffled with police and spilled onto the Champs-Elysees Friday, partly blocking the capital's most famous avenue.

The protest started peacefully outside the Greek Embassy in Paris, where about 300 demonstrators from student groups, unions and left-wing parties gathered to show solidarity with the Greek youths, who have been rioting for seven days to express deep discontent with the government and poor economic prospects.

Police were caught off-guard as the protesters shifted speedily down sidestreets from the embassy to emerge onto the Champs-Elysees, thick with Friday night traffic and bright with Christmas lights.

Roughly 100 protesters moved in a group down the avenue, some ripping out streetlights as they moved along. About 10 protesters blocked a police car driving up the avenue and smashed its windows with stones.

"Police, pigs, everywhere!" they shouted.

Bemused bystanders in red Santa hats watched as police vans with blue lights flashing and riot officers in helmets and shields marched down the avenue in the demonstrators' wake.

Eastward traffic was halted for several minutes as police sought to regain control of the situation, until the protesters finally dispersed.

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Police made at least one arrest, a young man handcuffed with plastic strips.

Outside the embassy, demonstrators shouted "Murderous Greek state!" "Police everywhere, justice nowhere!" and "A police officer, a bullet, that is social justice!"

Some cautioned that riots like those in Greece could explode in France, too, saying that French students and laborers are struggling to find decent work and make ends meet financially. All it would take is a spark, they warned.

"The government is really playing with fire," said Damien Ramage, a political science student. "Young people are angry."

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Associated Press Writer Jean-Marie Godard contributed from Paris.