President Vladimir Putin of Russia and former US leader Bill Clinton were among the mourners at the Saint-Sulpice church in central Paris as France held a national day of mourning for its president who served from 1995-2007.

Chirac's coffin, draped in a French flag, was carried into the church by his former bodyguards while onlookers applauded outside.

As well as President Emmanuel Macron, other world leaders attending included Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as well as EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

Chirac's widow Bernadette, who is said to be in frail health, attended a private service earlier but was not present at the main ceremony.

Chirac's immediate successors, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, were both present, as, in a rare public appearance, was the third president of France's modern Fifth Republic, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, 93.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose father and former far-right chief Jean-Marie Le Pen was an arch-foe of Chirac, opted in the end not to attend after Chirac's family made known she would not be welcome.

Members of the public are gathered outside of the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris during the church service for former French President Jacques Chirac.

Republican Guards carry the coffin of former French president Jacques Chirac during a military tribute at the Invalides (Hotel des Invalides) in Paris. AFP

Republican Guards carry the coffin of former French president Jacques Chirac during a military tribute at Hotel des Invalides

French President Emmanuel Macron stands in front of the coffin

Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) attends attends the church service for former French President Jacques Chirac at the Saint-Sulpice church 

The hearse transporting the coffin leaves Hotel des Invalides for the Saint-Sulpice church 

France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy (right) and his wife French-Italian model and singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy stand with the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral's rector Patrick Chauvet