Hundreds of thousands of people are set to join protests and marches on Thursday across France, in the latest day of mass mobilization against the government pension reforms.

It's the ninth such day of social action since the start of the year, and comes the day after the French president made his first media appearance since March 16, when his government forced the pension legislation through parliament, bypassing a vote by MPs.

On Thursday, French workers blocked access to a terminal at France's biggest airport, Paris Roissy-Charles De Gaulle.

Inter-city train services are disrupted, the Paris Metro is running a vastly-reduced service, and some schools closed as teachers joined the industrial action.

Garbage is continuing to pile up on the streets of several cities as rubbish collection workers remain on strike.

In his interview on Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron defended the pension reforms and insisted the bill will be enacted before the end of the year, despite the widespread protests.

The French leader took the unusual step of inviting presenters from France's two biggest lunch-time news shows to the Elysee Palace for the interview.

He gave a combative performance, condemning the violence that has been spreading across France in recent days, as protesters set cars and rubbish on fire, while police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.

"This reform is necessary. And I say this to the French people, I don't enjoy doing this, I would have preferred not to do this, but it's also because of a sense of responsibility that I expressed my commitment to do this in front of you," Macron admitted.

The headline change in the pensions policy is an increase to the retirement age from 62 to 64. 

But the way that the reform passed parliament has also been stirring the crowds, who criticized the government of prime minister Elisabeth Borne for using Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allows ministers to force legislation through parliament without the bill being voted on by lawmakers.

Using this special democratic instrument does mean the government has to submit to no-confidence votes, but it narrowly survived two such motions on Monday.

Emmanuel Macron also called for new discussions with the unions in the coming weeks on a range of policies.

But union leaders and opposition politicians have united in criticism of a president they say is out of touch. 

"The role of a president is to address everyone, without exclusion or contempt, to find the words to reassure and bring people together," said leading far-right MP and former presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen.