The French government issued a warning Saturday regarding reports of a possible hostage-taking in a church in central Paris, but police later said there was no indication of danger.

A police security operation began in a busy shopping district in the city's 1st arrondissement, but a short time later it ended.

Police had advised people to stay away from the area near Saint Leu church in the Chatelet neighbourhood while the operation was under way.

French media quoted Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve as confirming the report of an attack was a "false alarm."