Memorial for Paris at Civic Square

Liam, aged 10, and Flynn, 12, Butler among the hundreds of mourners who attended a vigil at Civic Square in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Hundreds of people have gathered at Wellington's Civic Square, where the French flag flies at half-mast today, to commemorate victims of Saturday's Paris terrorist attacks.

Sombre French music is playing and the crowd is subdued, with most standing silently or talking quietly.

In addressing the crowd, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown said: "We stand with Paris. We stand as global citizens."

Ms Brown said terrorism in Paris and in other cities "strikes at civilisation.

"It strikes at the freedom of men, women and children to enjoy our lives, to enjoy our lives in cafes, theatres, stadia and streets.

"And the life of our cities is meant to be in our public spaces.... not shut away in fear or behind closed doors."

French Ambassador to New Zealand Florence Jean Blanc Risler read the names of some of the known victims, leading some in the crowd to cry.

"Most of the victims were barely 30," she said. "Tonight we stand in support of them all ... and for those who are fighting for their lives."

She New Zealanders had shown "extraordinary compassion" in the last few days.

"France is not afraid, France is alive," French ambassador Florence Jean-Blanc Risler told the crowd.

French woman Agnes is comforted by Robbie (L) and Stefan during the vigil. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Ms Risler told the audience that "words cannot translate horror".

She went on: "Words can barely translate the sorrow of a whole nation, a sadness which extends far beyond its borders.

"But we can be certain that they, they will never destroy joy, the freedom of youth, the happiness of being together on a Friday evening in Paris."

Civic Square then fell quiet as a minute's silence was held.

Ronain Louis, originally from Nice but now a Wellington resident, said he was attending the memorial to show support for his countrymen 20,000 kilometres away.

"I can't imagine the stress, the tension, and fear they are feeling," he said.

"This is one way of showing we haven't forgotten."

Libouv Ferrier from Montpellier, wearing the French flag, was with a group of fellow French travellers at Civic Square.

Ms Ferrier said she was "frustrated" to be so far from home now.

"In bad moments, it's good to feel the love" of family and friends, she said.

Ms Ferrier said when knews of the barbaric attack broke, she thought it must be a joke.

Julian Forgear, a Parisian who lives in Brittany, said he heard people in the French capital were "staying at home" and shops and schools were shut.

Mr Forgear and Olivier Kenneybrew from Montpellier said their friends and family members weren't directly caught up in the killings, but the group had "friends of friends" who were victims.

Christoff Buenger and his girlfriend Judith Fischer, both from Germany, said the tragedy hit close to home.

The travelling couple said they had friends who's studied in Paris, an Mr Buenger knew the neighbourhoods where some of the attacks happened.

"It's too close to home," he said. "Everything's crazy."

The couple said they were shocked to learn of the attacks.

Mr Buenger said he remembered when the news broke, he thought: "They're kidding us. It's unbelievable."

Mr Buenger and Ms Fischer said the political situation in all of Europe was changing rapidly.

The pair would be back in Germany probably before year's end.

"We will be back in a totally different country," Mr Buenger said.

Ms Fischer said the couple worried about a political backlash targeting refugees and emboldening the far right European politicians.

After brief formalities, a book of condolence was opened.

A group in the crowd spontaneously sang Le Marseillaise, and short subdued applause followed.