Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has expressed solidarity with a grieving French nation in one of the most French ways possible: using its language.

With France's ambassador Christophe Lecourtier sitting in the House of Representatives, Australia's political leaders were united in paying tribute after this month's deadly Paris terrorist attacks.

"Mr Ambassador, you have our most sincere condolences and strongest solidarity", Mr Turnbull told the ambassador in French.

Prime Minister Turnbull was in Europe as the November 13 Islamic State attack unfolded and has discussed the world's response at three international forums since.

"To all whose lives have been touched by these evil acts of terrorism, the Australian people send their heartfelt sympathy and unwavering solidarity," he said.

"Paris, the city of light, was assaulted by godless ISIL murderers who blasphemously claimed to be killing in the name of God, who claimed to be killing for the sake of Islam but defamed and blasphemed Islam itself.

"This was not just an assault on French lives and French freedoms — it was an attack on all humanity, on all our freedoms: freedom to gather and to celebrate; the freedom to share time with family and friends; the freedom to walk our streets without fear."

In its first sitting since the murders of 130 people, Parliament rose for a moment silence to remember the victims.

Both sides of politics also remembered the victims of recent attacks outside France, including in Lebanon and Mali.

"Every act of terrorism is an affront to our humanity, wherever it happens and whoever it affects," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.

"It does not matter what faith terrorists invoke, if they invoke a faith, it does not matter what imagined injustice they pretend to have suffered, it does not matter what name terrorists claim to act in or what flag they wave," Mr Shorten said.

"Please know that as one country and one people we offer our heartfelt condolences to your nation and to the people of France, especially those mourning the loss of someone they love."