Protesters clashed with police in France’s western port of La Rochelle Saturday, as conservationists and small farmers mobilized against massive irrigation reservoirs under construction.

A 2,000-strong march, one of two through the city, was turned back and broke up at around 2 p.m. after being charged by police.

Running battles erupted around barricades and burning rubbish bins as some protesters threw projectiles and police fired tear gas grenades.