German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday condemned the "despicable" attack on a French satirical weekly that left at least 12 people dead in a condolence letter to President Francois Hollande.

"I was shocked to learn of the despicable attack on the newspaper in Paris," the German leader wrote.

"I would like to express to you and your compatriots in this hour of suffering the sympathy of the German people as well my own sorrow, and convey my condolences to the victims' loved ones."