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This morning, a machete-wielding attacker was shot after targeting a soldier inside the landmark.

He also shouted “Allahu akbar” – arabic for “God is Great – according to French police, Reuters reports.

In 2014, investigators in France uncovered plans to target the tourist attraction along with the Eiffel Tower and a nuclear power plant.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: PERISCOPE)

Cops decrypted coded messages between an Algerian butcher and a high-ranking al-Qaida member.

Le Parisian newspaper claimed the museum was on a list of targets, including markets and nightclubs.

Decrypted messages between Algerian known as Ali M included suggestions of avoiding shopping areas so France's muslim population would not be involved.

He wrote: "The targets should be average French citizens from the poorer classes gathering in small places, such as bars and nightclubs."

In another message, he said the Avignon arts festival in southern France could be targeted.

He added: "The roads become thick with people and just a single grenade would be enough to hurt dozens of people.

"Imagine the effect of an improvised explosive device (IED)."

(Image: TWITTER) (Image: REUTERS)

Ali M was arrested in July 2013.

ISIS gunmen later opened fire on restaurants and the Bataclan music venue, killing 130 people, on November 13, 2015.