In the southern French port city of Marseille, a man threatened police officers in front of the town hall at around 9 a.m. with a knife.
The security forces then shot the attacker and injured him, a police spokeswoman said on Saturday.
The man was arrested.
It was initially unclear whether police officers were also injured in the incident on Saturday morning.
According to local media reports, citing the local fire department, at least one of the police officers was injured.
The suspect is also in poor condition.
A motive for the crime is not yet available.
In the case investigations were initiated.