A man has been arrested after allegedly killing three people and wounding three others in a gun attack on a Kurdish cultural centre and nearby Kurdish cafe in Paris on Friday.

Multiple shots were fired in the Rue d'Enghien, a street lined with small shops and cafes in the capital's 10th arrondissement, sowing panic.

Live television images showed armed police guarding a security cordon and several ambulances at the scene after the incident.

"A gun attack has taken place. Thank you to the security forces for their swift action," tweeted deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire.

"Thoughts for the victims and those who witnessed this drama."

A 69-year-old man had been arrested and an investigation into murder, manslaughter and aggravated violence had been opened, the prosecutor's office said.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the suspected attacker was known to authorities.

She added that authorities would examine any possible racist element behind the shooting.

Julien Verplancke, who works at another local restaurant, Chez Minna, said staff from the Kurdish cafe had emerged from the premise in tears after the shooting.

The incident was a "terrible drama", district mayor Alexandra Cordebard told reporters.

Two of those wounded had suffered life-threatening injuries, she said.

One witness told French news agency AFP that seven or eight shots had been fired.

A second witness, speaking to BFM TV, said the suspected gunman was a white man who opened fire in silence.

Reuters