Four French police officers have been arrested after a Canadian woman claimed she was raped at the Paris police headquarters.

The alleged attack took place overnight Tuesday-Wednesday after the woman reportedly met the off-duty officers at an Irish pub in the city.

French media say the woman (34) agreed to go with the men to their headquarters - which is widely known by its address as 36, Quai des Orfevres.

The woman was reportedly in the city during a two-week holiday. She registered a criminal complaint several hours after the alleged attack.

The officers, who worked for a gang crime unit, can be held for up to 48 hours before they must be brought before a judge or released.

The French police inspectorate is also looking into the claims in parallel with the criminal probe.

Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has vowed to take "all the necessary measures" if there is substance to the claims.

"I want the justice system and the police inspectorate to complete their investigations so that the truth can be established," Mr. Cazeneuve said in a speech to police in Marseille.