A priest has been killed in an attack by two armed men at his church near Rouen in northern France, police and French media have said.
The armed men entered the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during mass, taking the priest, two nuns and several churchgoers hostage, reports said.
French TV said shots had been heard after police arrived at the scene. Both hostage-takers are now said to be dead.
The area has been cordoned off and police have told people to stay away.
President Francois Hollande and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve are on their way to the town to be briefed by police.