Watch as Catholic nun tackles French climate activist

Protestors clashed with the Famille Missionnaire de Notre Dame (Missionary Family of Our Lady) community in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier, in southern France over the centre's plans.

"I didn't expect that," co-president of the protest group Sylvain Hérenguel told television channel France 3.

"I expected the nuns to be a little reasonable for the public order," he said.

Famille Missionnaire de Notre Dame nuns formed a human chain to discourage climate protestors from securing themselves to the digger.

Mr Hérenguel said he was "attacked three times by five people, who snatched me, who wanted to throw me out".

IN OTHER NEWS:

"They decided to protect the site with their actions and their bodies."

The new chapel and residential plans could damage agricultural land for future generations and harm the habitat of protected species, the protestors said.