France marks Charlie Hebdo terror attack anniversary

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French President Francois Hollande has led tributes to those killed in a terror attack at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, one year ago.

Twelve people died when Islamist gunmen opened fire in Paris on January 7.

Five other people including three police officers were also killed in three days of attacks culminating in a siege at a supermarket.

Gunmen filmed in the street during the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Speaking as he delivered his annual security address outside the Paris police headquarters, Mr Hollande hailed the efforts of officers responding to the attack at Charlie Hebdo and later at HyperCasher supermarket

Flowers and messages laid in tribute to the victims of the terror attacks at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France Credit: Reuters

Mr Hollande also spoke of the "terrible threat" of terrorism weighing on the country as he spoke of the challenge of protecting French citizens.

Police and security personnel face a 'demanding' mission to protect the lives of French citizens, Mr Hollande said. Credit: Re

"What you are also protecting is their way of life, their freedom. It is this way of life that the terrorists were attacking. Because joy, exchanges, culture and arts, inspire them nothing but hatred."

"Never, probably since several decades ago, and I bear its responsibility, has your mission been more necessary, more demanding. Because terrorism is still weighing a terrible threat on the country", he added.

France remains under a state of emergency following the most recent attacks.

As a sign of solidarity with the victims of the Hebdo attack some cartoonists have posted tributes with the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie on social media.