ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has added his voice to a strong chorus sharing messages of support and solidarity in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
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Mr Barr offered his deepest condolences to all those affected by the event in Paris after at least 120 people were killed.
"I speak for my fellow Canberrans when I say our thoughts today are with the French people," he said.
"The unacceptable loss of life as a result of these terrorist attacks is a tragedy beyond measure, and I am truly saddened by this senseless loss of innocent lives.
"My thoughts go out for the French community in Canberra and those Canberrans with loved ones in France."
In a gesture of solidarity Canberra's Kings Avenue overpass was lit up with the red white and blue of the French flag on Saturday night.
Cities across the world undertook similar pledges of support with red,white and blue lighting up the Sydney Opera House, Brisbane's Story Bridge and the Adelaide Oval.
Mr Barr thanked the National Capital Authority for promptly accommodating the request after the shocking news broke on Saturday.
Members of Canberra's French Australian community woke early on Saturday to news of the devastating strikes on the heart of Paris on Friday, November 13.
Text messages flooded into 23-year-old Jeremy Creugnet's phone and within minutes he was on the phone to cousins in Paris.
"It was just so hard to believe it was happening," he said.
Surrounding himself with French community gave him solace.
"It will help speaking French today," he said. "It gives us all feeling we are in this together."
Fellow Dickson resident Nic Vardakis said watching candid videos taken on people's phones during the violence and seeing the live tweets and calls for help was very distressing.
"It was pretty bizarre to watch and hear the videos with gun shots in the background," he said.
Visiting Canberra from Adelaide for a weekend trip Ling Lee and Peter Barger considered changing their plan to attend the Alliance Francaise Canberra Christmas Fair and Open Day on Saturday.
"I actually felt a bit hesitant about coming because I thought people with true roots in France would be really shaken," Mr Barger said.
"I wasn't sure if this event would continue, but I am glad it has. It is nice to show the French they have the support of everyone in the community."
