Eiffel Tower darkens in Charlie tribute

In a tribute to the 12 people killed by gunmen at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris has had its lights switched off.

The Eiffel Tower

The lights have gone out on the Eiffel Tower in a sombre tribute to the 12 people killed in Paris. (AAP)

The lights have gone out on France's iconic Eiffel Tower in a sombre tribute to the 12 people killed in the attack on the Paris satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The lights normally illuminating the 324-metre-tall monument at night went out at 8pm local time on Thursday.

It happened as a demonstration of thousands was in full swing on the other side of the city, in Republique square, for the second night running.

Other events will be held in the French capital over coming days to mark the outrage over Wednesday's attack on Charlie Hebdo, and to assert the right to freedom of expression - a value France has long cherished and sought to protect.

"Our city has been a refuge for writers, philosophers, journalists who were threatened for their ideas," Hidalgo told Liberation newspaper.

"There is no place in Paris for extremist ideas of any sort."

The Eiffel Tower is one of France's top tourist attractions and the pre-eminent monument in the City of Light.


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Source: AAP



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