A statement in flawless French has claimed that the Islamic State is behind yesterday's attacks in Paris, which left more than 120 people dead.

Another 180 are injured.

The message states that "eight brothers" wearing explosive belts and carrying assault rifles carefully chose targets in advance.

These included la Stade de France, where France was playing a soccer match against Germany. French president Francois Hollande was watching the game.

The statement also declares that the Bataclan concert hall was selected as a target "where hundreds" attended a "party of perversity".

The U.S. group Eagles of Death Metal were scheduled to perform in the 1,500-seat venue, which is on Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement.

The band, which recently performed in Vancouver, issued the following statement on its Facebook page:

"We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation."

That was followed up with this message: "The wife of Eagles Of Death Metal drummer Julian Dorio has told The Washington Post that the band members are safe. 'We are just holding our breath and saying prayers for everyone,' she says. 'He called to say that he loved me and he was safe. Everyone on stage was able to get off. French president François Hollande has declared a state of emergency and closed the country’s borders.' "

More than 80 of the deaths reportedly occurred at the Bataclan.

There were also attacks on La Belle Equipe bar, La Casa Nostra restaurant, Le Carillon bar, and Le Petot Cambodge restaurant, which are all close to the concert hall.

The Islamic State claimed that France is its "top target" because of its actions in Syria.

Hollande characterized the attacks as an "act of war". He also said that they were planned from outside of the country.

France has declared a state of emergency and the government has deployed an additional 1,500 soldiers in Paris.

The Paris Metro was closed and Hollande cancelled a planned trip to the G20 summit in Turkey.

There were false reports yesterday that shootings also occurred at the busy Les Halles shopping centre and at two of Paris's most famous art galleries, the Pompidou Centre and the Louvre.

Meanwhile, Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has announced that the flag on top of City Hall will be flown at half-mast to honour the victims of the Paris shootings.

"I am shocked and saddened by the deeply horrific attacks in Paris tonight," Robertson wrote in a Facebook post. "I will be reaching out to Mayor [Anne] Hidalgo of Paris as soon as possible to offer all appropriate assistance from Vancouver in the wake of this tragedy, and in the weeks ahead.

"Vancouver's thoughts are with the people of France tonight; and especially with victims' families, survivors, and the first responders who have once again demonstrated France's extraordinary courage in the face of unspeakable violence."

Robertson was invited earlier this year to speak alongside Hidalgo in Paris at an event hosted by the president of France's National Assembly.

The Vancouver mayor plans to attend the UN climate summit in Paris, which begins at the end of the month and continues into early December.