Paris: France's interior minister said on Monday at least 40 young people in a Paris suburb have hurled stones at police and firefighters after a teenager died while fleeing police.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said one person fired at police officers with a handgun during the rioting.

He appealed for calm on Monday following violence in Bagnolet on the eastern outskirts of Paris.

Police said trouble flared on Sunday night after an 18-year-old riding his motorcycle through a housing project died while fleeing a police checkpoint.

The man lost control, hit a barrier, and died before reaching hospital.

Hortefeux's office said in a statement about 40 young people hurled projectiles at police and firefighters and set fire to 29 cars. No injuries were reported.