But at 4.48pm police then tweeted the operation was over and that there was “no danger to report”.
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Dozens of police and helicopters attended the scene, near an underground shopping centre which was packed with locals and tourists.
French police have since confirmed there was “no indication of danger” after the reported gun shots.
A huge security alert was triggered in central Paris on Saturday afternoon after reports of a shooting but the latest reports suggest it was a false alarm.
Security forces had responded to a call that claimed hostages had been taken in Saint-Leu church, interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told BFM TV.
The government’s “SAIP” public warning system had sent out an electronic message saying “church attack alert” at 4.30pm local time.
France has suffered three major attacks in 18 months that have killed 231 people and officials say they have foiled numerous other plots to wreak havoc on the public.
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Authorities said the trio had been preparing to drive a vehicle laden with gas cylinders into a major railway station.
