Terrified witnesses describe confusion and fear after man armed with a machete is gunned down outside Louvre in ‘terror attack’

One American student described the panic and confusion earlier as guests realised they were caught up in an attack.

Speaking to The Sun from the gallery, Taylor Walstrum, 21, said: "There is lots of shouting from staff. People are restless. Lots of pacing.

"The security has checked bags. Everyone is sitting around trying to contact relatives and stay updated.

"We're in a lower level room with no open view windows. They have told us the room is secure."

One local shop worker described how he heard gunfire nearby.

The 19-year-old man, who asked not to be named said: "We heard gunfire and reacted immediately – shutting down the grills in front of the shop, and retreating into the back.

"You always hear about the possibility of terrorism, especially in the area around the Louvre, but this was the real thing."

Tourists were later pictured being shepherded out of the gallery in small groups by heavily armed French police.

John O’Shea, a 52-year-old Canadian who was caught up in the drama with his wife and young son, said: "We’ve been told to leave – it’s very frightening.

"Everybody is talking terrorism, but we really don’t know what’s going on. Apparently a number of shots were fired."

Restaurant worker Sanae Hadraoui, 32, was waiting for breakfast at the Louvre's restaurant complex when she heard the first gunshot, followed by another and then a couple more.

"I hear a shot. Then a second shot. Then maybe two more. I hear people screaming, "Evacuate! Evacuate!"

"They told us to evacuate. I told my colleagues at the McDonald's. We went downstairs and then took the emergency exit."

Lance Manus, 71, from Albany, New York, said: "There were announcements, then the security guards started running all over the place and after a short period they started gathering everybody up and getting them to one side of the building."