Almost half of France opposes the publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, and even more say there should be limitations on free speech, according to a new poll.

The Ifop poll, published in France's Journal du Dimanche, had 42 per cent of respondents express opposition to cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammed, though 57 per cent say Muslim dislike of the cartoons should not stop their publication.

Half of those polled said they believe that there should "limitations on free speech online and on social networks" — indicating a division in the interpretation of France's republican values that stands in contrast to the unity displayed at last week's grand march in Paris.

The results come in the wake of the deadly attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine best known for its critical cartoons of Mohammed.

Twelve people were killed in the shooting on January 7 by the Islamic extremist Kouachi brothers over the magazine's depiction of Mohammed, which is considered blasphemous.

Highlighting public opinion divide on the subject is news today that the Charlie Hebdo 'survivors issue' - the first since the attacks - has increased the number of copies published to 7 million following extraordinary demand.

Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Show all 15 1 /15 Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo The latest edition of Charlie Hebdo magazine, featuring a cartoon of the Prophet Mohamed on the front cover Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo The first edition of Charlie Hebdo after 12 people were massacred at its offices AFP/Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo A woman reads the first edition of Charlie Hebdo after 12 people were massacred at its offices AFP/Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo As people march in Paris and the Arc de Triomphe displays the slogan 'Paris is Charlie', the tomb of the unknown soldier says "I have an erection!" AFP/Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo A cartoon showing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions carving up the world, mirroring the post-war Yalta Conference between Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt. The Catholic figure says he will guard the West and directs the Jewish figure to guard the East. AFP/Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo What future for our jihadists? 'Security guard at Carrefour?' AFP/Getty Images Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo A man pays for his new Charlie Hebdo edition at a newsstand in Paris Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo People browse a newsstand advertising "We don't have any more Charlie Hebdo". Charlie Hebdo's defiant new issue sold out before dawn around Paris, with scuffles at kiosks over dwindling copies of the paper Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo People wait to buy the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo newspaper at a newsstand in Rennes Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo People wait outside a newsagents in Paris Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo A sign which translates as "Charlie Hebdo - Sold Out - Next deliveries on Thursday, Friday and Saturday" is displayed at a newsagents in Strasbourg Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo The depiction of the Prophet Mohamed on the front cover has offended many Muslims AP Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo People wait outside a newsagents in Dunkirk for a copy of the magazine AFP Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo Members of the public queue at a newspaper kiosk, where copies of the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo magazine are being sold in Paris Getty Charlie Hebdo: The first edition since the Paris massacre Charlie Hebdo The new edition of Charlie Hebdo is prepared for delivery at a press distribution center in the suburb of Marne La Valle in Paris

There was originally one million copies planned, which was then raised to three million, then five million and now seven million — the magazine used to publish only 60,000 per edition.

The latest issue is fronted by a cartoon of Mohammed holding up a sign saying "Je suis Charlie" - after the now iconic phrase of solidarity - with the words "all is forgiven" written beneath.

It sold out in France within minutes of going on sale on Wednesday.

The decision to lead publish another picture of Mohammed has been met with condemnation by Muslim groups in France, and violent protests around the world.

France's laws of free speech has been scrutinised in the aftermath of the shooting at Charlie Hebdo, with Amnesty International but one group claiming hypocrisy over the decision to arrest comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala for defending the terrorist attack.

In France, blasphemy is legal but comments inciting racial hatred or defending terrorism are not.

The subject of the conflict may divide the French people, but there is agreement on taking a hard line on Islamic extremism, with 81 per cent supporting measures to strip French citizenship from dual nationals who have commited terrorist attacks in France.