Two women were killed by a knifeman who was then shot dead by soldiers in Marseille’s main railway station.
French police warned people to avoid Saint Charles station, tweeting that an operation was under way.
Soldiers and police took up positions outside the station, which was evacuated.
One woman was stabbed to death and the other woman’s throat was slit, sources sad.
The assailant was shot dead by soldiers who were patrolling inside the station.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron said he was “deeply outraged” by the “barbarous” knife attack.
Mr Macron also paid tribute to the French soldiers assigned to domestic security who the president said responded with cool heads and efficiency.
The French government this month decided to maintain the military force of 7,000 soldiers that was created to protect sensitive sites after the deadly extremist attacks of 2015.
Mr Macron’s prime minister Edouard Philippe also praised the soldiers who shot the suspect and stopped the “killing frenzy”.
He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and concern for Marseille residents.
The Paris prosecutors’ office said a counter-terrorism investigation has been opened.
No further details were immediately given, including the motive for the attack.
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