Paris attacks: Gunshots rock Stade de France

France had been playing Germany in a friendly encounter

The Stade de France saw scenes of chaos (AP)

An international football match turned to chaos on Friday as hundreds of people spilled out onto the pitch of the Stade de France as shots rang out as France played Germany in a friendly.

President Francois Hollande was in the stands to watch Didier Deschamps side in action but was rushed from the national stadium as news broke of the attacks, said reports.

Explosions could be heard in the stadium during the game, which continued until full-time, though by that time many fans had headed to the exits as news of the attacks filtered through.

A stadium announcer made an announcement over the loudspeaker after the match, telling fans to avoid certain exits "due to events outside," without elaborating.

At first that prompted some panic, but then the crowds just walked dazed, hugging each other and looking at their phones for the latest news of the violence.

Hundreds of people spilled onto the field and could be seen consulting their cell phones for information about the series of attacks that reverberated across the city, the Associated Press reported.

Those supporters who remained were then allowed onto the field at the Stade de France as French police slowly evacuated attendees.