French President Francois Hollande has declared a state of emergency across the country after simultaneous attacks in Paris left 129 people dead.

The state of emergency will be “declared across the entire country”, Hollande.

In a statement on television, Hollande also announced the “the closure of national borders”.

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The French president addressed the country on TV, calling the attacks on Paris “unprecedented” in scale.

“It’s horrific,” he said. “We have, on my orders, mobilised all the forces we can muster in order to neutralise the terrorist threat and secure all the affected areas.

“I have also asked for military reinforcements.

“They too are in the Paris area to make sure no new attack can take place.”

France has been on high alert since the jihadist attacks in January against Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket that left 17 dead.

Several other attacks have been foiled through the year.

Timeline: Paris attacks (AEDT)

8:08am: A gunman opens fire in a bar close to the Goncort metro station

8:30am: Explosions are heard near the Stade de France where the French football team are playing Germany. French President Francois Hollande was at the match, but was moved to safety

9:00am: Police confirm scores of people have been taken hostage at the Bataclan concert hall

9:57am: President Hollande declares a state of emergency across France and closes the nation’s borders

with ABC, AAP