Suspected attacker '˜downed' after driving into police in Paris

Police vehicles prevent the access to the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on Monday. Picture: AP Photo/Bertrand Combaldieu

The incident happened on the Champs-Elysees this afternoon and led to a section of the famous boulevard being evacuated.

The attacker, who was armed, was knocked unconscious and is seriously injured, French media report.

Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said the driver, whose car exploded as he tried to ram a police vehicle, is “most probably” dead.

Police officers and pedestrians stand by a sealed off area on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. Picture: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty

Mr Brandet said bomb squads were still securing the scene.

He said the attacker appeared to have acted deliberately.

France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor has opened an investigation into the incident.

Police had earlier warned people to avoid the neighbourhood, one of the French capital’s most popular with tourists.

Police officers walk accross a sealed off area on June 19, 2017 on the Champs-Elysees. Picture: AFP/Getty

France remains in a state of emergency after being hit by a wave of deadly terror attacks in recent years.

A police officer was shot dead and two others were wounded in an attack on the Champs Elysees in April.