France was bracing Sunday for what is expected to be one of the biggest demonstrations in decades as opponents of a gay marriage bill converge on Paris for a large march.
The organizers of the march have said they expect hundreds of thousands of people to attend the demonstration against President Francois Hollande's proposal to legalize gay marriage and adoption.
Five trains and hundreds of coaches began ferrying protesters to the capital from the early morning.
Hollande promised during campaigning last year to follow the lead of the Netherlands, Spain and several other European countries by giving gays and lesbians full marriage rights. Parliament is to begin examining a "marriage for all" bill on January 29.
But the bill has encountered stronger-than-expected opposition, particularly in rural areas.
A demonstration last year that was seen as a warm-up for Sunday's rally mobilized in the region of 100,000 people.
Polls show a majority of the French supporting gay marriage but opposed to gay adoptions. Paris Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois has called gay marriage "a sham".
Over 2,000 mayors have signed a petition asking to be exempted from officiating at gay weddings if, as expected, the legislation passes.