At this stage there were no reports of any New Zealanders caught up in the attack.
New Zealanders in Paris were advised to follow the advice of the local authorities and register their details at www.safetravel.co.nz.
The French embassy based in Wellington said in a statement that in the wake of the "horrendous terrorist attack" and the resultant loss of innocent lives, a three-day mourning period had been declared by France's Government.
A condolence book will be opened at the reception of the French Embassy on Manners Street in Wellington today and tomorrow, from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Nathalie Buckrell, director of Alliance Francaise Wellington, said satirical news was part of the French identity.
"Charlie Hebdo is a symbol of the republic, it's a symbol of freedom.
She said all French of her generation would have grown up with the newspaper.
"We respected them for what they were doing. They were provocative journalists.
"It's not the only satirical newspaper... and we have the equivalent on tv. It's what makes France so special, we like to say what we think aloud and have a good laugh.
"The heart of France has been attacked."
She hadn't spoken to anyone in France yet and was waiting to hear from the French embassy in New Zealand to understand what the Alliance would be doing in support of their French counterparts.
"I'm feeling a bit lost. Apart from being shocked, what can you do?" she said.
"But, I've had a couple of calls from New Zealand people sharing their sympathy and I'm very grateful."
Kiwis in Paris tell of their shock
New Zealanders living and holidaying in Paris have spoken of their horror and shock at the killings.
Tamara Sayle, who now lives in Paris, said she was horrified at the shootings.
"It makes me quite nervous to catch the metro, to be outside."
Scott Rogers, who works as a chauffeur in the French capital, said he was near where the shootings took place.
Police had since blocked off numerous roads - "there's police everywhere".
"I was pretty shocked about it, everyone is. It's amazing to think it can happen anywhere.
"It's incredible that someone can do that to someone who's just expressing their opinion."
Tony Johanson, who also lived in Paris, was also shocked and angry at the incident.
"It was cold-blooded."
Jim and Lesley Nolan were holidaying in the city and were just two blocks away from the newspaper's office when the attack took place.
Mr Nolan said the shock of the incident had probably not fully sunk in, but they were not concerned for their safety.
"It's an isolated incident and was a specific attack.
"It's obviously a huge tragedy, but for our own safety we're not concerned."
Eileen Boland is also in holidaying in Paris before flying back to New Zealand tomorrow.
She said police cars had been moving around the city all day "with sirens blaring and there has been a noticeable presence of armed police on the street".
Bekka Sarah, a French Muslim who travels to New Zealand regularly from Paris, emailed the New Zealand Herald to condemn the attack.
"I never recognised my religion in slaughters. What happened today is the saddest expression of an ideology of hate and stupidity," she said.
"As a result, I worry about racist speeches that can be made by popular parties like Front National. We only want to live in peace, not with the fear of being stigmatised cause of murderers."
Aucklander Suzannah Hamling and her son were walking along the Place de la Bastille at the time of the shooting.
"All a bit unnerving and looking forward to coming home to New Zealand at the weekend," she said.
French national and New Zealand resident Thierry Barnay is in Paris visiting friends and family at the moment.
"It's a whole mess at the moment."
Mr Barnay would be returning to his home in Remuera on the weekend.
Charlie Hebdo was a popular newspaper, he said.
"So everybody is sad and everybody is very concerned because all of the journalists who were killed were very, very, very well known."
It was a terrible end to his holiday in France, Mr Barnay said.
"It's such a shock."
- additional reporting Sophie Ryan
