France will maintain its deployment of 10,000 troops that have been patrolling across the country in the wake of January’s attacks by extremists, the presidency said on Wednesday.

France will maintain its deployment of 10,000 troops that have been patrolling across the country in the wake of January's attacks by extremists, the presidency said on Wednesday.

"The threat of terrorist attack against our country remains high," the office of President Francois Hollande said in a statement after a special meeting of top ministers. 

"The head of state has decided to maintain the level of the army on the national territory at 10,000 troops in support of security forces from the interior ministry."

It added that "7,000 of them are deployed primarily for surveillance and protection at religious sites that are particularly threatened."

Soldiers have also been patrolling stations, media buildings and other potential targets since the attacks by extremists in Paris in January that left 17 dead.