The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned: “There are reports of a security incident in the area around the Louvre museum in Paris.
“You should exercise caution, avoid the affected area and follow the advice of the local authorities.”
The knifeman was shot in the abdomen after reportedly crying ‘Allahu Akba’ and trying to attack a group of French on-duty soldiers with a machete.
He reportedly drew the knife on the soldiers after being told he could not enter the Louvre Carrousel shopping centre with two backpacks.
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the attack was “clearly of terrorist nature” but said that no explosives were found in the bags.
Head of French police, Michel Cadot, said: “We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident.”
The Louvre is a world famous museum of art and one of the main tourist attractions in the French capital.
Holidaymakers have been concerned about the terror threat in Paris after multiple shootings and bombings on a day of terror in February 2015.
It came after two Islamic militants opened fire during a meeting at the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January 2015.
The FCO warns: “There is a high threat from terrorism. Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist group and recent French military intervention against Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL).
France’s national state of emergency lasts until 15 July 2017 following a wave of terror in the country over the past two years.
He said: “The French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures.”
