A knife-wielding "drunken" man sparked panic in the streets of Paris after "gratuitously" stabbing six people before being seized after a major police operation.

The man started his terrifying rampage shortly 11pm on Tuesday in a run-down part of the 18th arrondissement, northern Paris, randomly stabbing passers-by, according to media reports.

Police have not yet indicated whether the attack was terror-related.

The man escaped on foot after wounding five people who had to be taken to hospital for cuts that were described as not life-threatening. A sixth person escaped unscathed, reportedly protected from the blade by thick winter clothing.

Tracking the attacker on surveillance cameras, police quickly launched a major hunt to track him down.

Images of him were taken from the CCTV footage and distributed to all units in the area.

The suspect was seen taking refuge in the entrance of a building on Rue Philippe-de-Girard in the 10th arrondissement.

When police finally detained him, they said his clothes were covered in blood and he was clearly drunk, Le Parisien reported. The knife allegedly used in the attack was found in a nearby street.

The suspect was held overnight in a police cell and was due to be interrogated on Wednesday.