Members of Canada's French-speaking community gathered late Friday in a spontaneous show of support following the wave of attacks in Paris that left more than 120 people dead.

About 500 people assembled under a light rain in Montreal to honor the victims of the deadly Paris assaults, carrying signs that read "We will not retreat," and "We will defend our values."

"We will never give in to blackmail," Montreal's Mayor Denis Coderre said, addressing the crowd in French.

The crowd softly sang the French national anthem, "The Marseillaise" and observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died.

Coderre later told AFP that he spoke by telephone with Paris's mayor Anne Hidalgo to express his sympathy and support.

At least eight gunmen struck numerous locations around the French capital late Friday, in the bloodiest attack in Europe for more than a decade.