ARMED police have stormed the Palace of Versailles in a safety operation.
Authorities have urged individuals to keep away from the realm and the constructing has been evacuated.
Pictures confirmed armoured cops with canine from France’s elite police commandos unit GIGN gathered outdoors the historic palace.
Versailles welcomes some 15 million guests yearly and is one of the highest sights in France.
French newspaper Le Figaro studies the police swooped after studies of a “man with a knife”.
One witness stated: “We were waiting to be allowed to enter the Palace of Versailles and now it is evacuated.
“The [police] have simply entered it.”
In a statement, officials from the Prefecture of Yvelines said: “An intervention is underway on the Château de Versailles.
“Security forces are on site.
“Avoid the realm and comply with the directions of the authorities.”
But new information from Le Figaro indicates that the situation is not linked to terrorism and potentially was an unconfirmed dispute between street sellers.
One was reportedly seen leaving the scene with a knife.
Another report says the Palace has been closed.
The incident comes amid a time of heightened tensions in France – with President Emmanuel Macron deploying some 30,000 extra cops to the streets amid fears of violence.
France heads to the polls for the second round of voting at the weekend, with the far-right National Rally expected to make big gains.
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