French president declares ISIL responsible for Paris attacks

French President Francois Hollande has named ISIL as being behind the Paris attacks that claimed at least 127 lives in Paris.

At a brief media address shortly after 9pm (AEDST), Mr Hollande named the extremist group has responsible and accused it of committing an "act of war" on French soil.

Mr Hollande went on to say that the country faces a "harsh, decisive time", but "though wounded, France will always rise".

"We are not only defending our country," said the president, who promised merciless retribution in an earlier speech, "but the values of humanity."

Mr Hollande also declared the start of three days of mourning for the country.

In its statement claiming responsibility, ISIL, said it was "targeting the capital of prostitution and obscenity, the carrier of the banner of the Cross in Europe, Paris", in order to "put the nose of his enemies in the ground".