The protesters, many of whom travelled from outside the capital, formed three columns that converged at the Eiffel Tower.
"We love homosexuals but a child must be born from a man and a woman, and the law must respect that,” said Frigide Barjot, the alter ego of comedian Virginie Tellene, the intentionally apolitical face of the protest.
Demonstrators against gay marriage, adoption and procreation assistance gather in the streets of Paris.(Reuters / Benoit Tessier)
Demonstrators against gay marriage, adoption and procreation assistance gather in the streets of Paris.(Reuters / Benoit Tessier)
Demonstrators against gay marriage, adoption and procreation assistance gather in the streets of Paris.(Reuters / Benoit Tessier)
Demonstrators carried placards proclaiming "Born of a man and a woman,", "'Marriagephile, not homophobe" and “A father, a mother for all our children”.
The protests have forged a rare coalition of Christian conservatives, Muslims, and center-right politicians opposed to the plans proposed by the Socialist government in the immediate aftermath of Hollande’s election victory last summer.
"This is an important test for Francois Hollande,” said Jean-Francois Cope, the leader of the center-right UMP party.
Demonstrators, one carrying a baby, gather on the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, to protest France's planned legalisation of same-sex marriage.(Reuters / Mal Langsdon)
The “marriage for all” law is not a mere formality, though many traditionalists have balked at words “woman” and “mother” being replaced by “spouse” and “parent” in official documents. When it comes into force by June, same-sex couples will have the same right to adopt children as heterosexual couples, although the president recently backed down on plans to provide state-assisted artificial insemination for lesbians.
The government has faced stiffening resistance on the legislation, with even moderate opposition accusing Hollande of foregoing public debate on the controversial issue. A similar protest in November attracted 100,000 people.
Polls show that just over half of French people still support gay marriage, but the endorsement has fallen by ten percent since the proposal was initially touted. Most, however, remain opposed to adoption by a gay couple.
Demonstrators against gay marriage, adoption and procreation assistance gather in the streets of Paris, January 13, 2013. (Reuters / Benoit Tessier)
A person holds a placard reading "No to homosexual marriage" during a protest organized by fundamentalist Christians group Civitas Institute against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013 in Paris. (AFP Photo / Kenzo Tribouillard)
Young protesters on top of a statue hold a banner reading "I know where I come from, I wonder where we go", at the start of a march against same-sex marriage, on January 13, 2013 at Denfert-Rochereau square in Paris. (AFP Photo / Lionel Bonaventure)
Veiled women take part in a march against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013 in Paris. (AFP Photo / Fred Dufour)
Children hold French national flags as they take part in a march against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013 in Paris. (AFP Photo / Fred Dufour)
A man shows his disagreement to an old man taking part in a protest against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013 in Paris. (AFP Photo / Fred Dufour)
Virginie Tellene, known as "Frigide Barjot" sings on stage during a rally against same-sex marriage on the Champs-de-Mars in Paris, on January 13, 2013. (AFP Photo / Thomas Samson)
Young people hold a board reading in French "Free to love" in front of the Eiffel Tower,to protest at the end of a march against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013 in Paris. (AFP Photo / Miguel Medina)
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