The Syrian refugee detained in the stabbing of six people including four young children in the French Alpine town of Annecy has been charged with "attempted murder", a prosecutor said yesterday.

Abdalmasih H "did not wish to speak" during his 48 hours in police custody nor before the magistrates leading the investigation, public prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis told a press conference, adding that the victims were no longer in a life-threatening condition, reports AFP.

The stabbing was the first violent attack targeting children since 2012, when gunman Mohamed Merah shot three Jewish children and one of their parents, and then three soldiers, in Toulouse in 2012.

The suspect was examined by a psychiatrist who considered that he was fit to be held in custody, according to Reuters. Drug and alcohol tests were negative.

"Presently it is premature to assess his motivations," Bonnet-Mathis said, reiterating that there was no indication yet that terrorism was the assailant's motivation.

On his arrest, police found a folding knife, Christian faith images, a cross, cash, and a Swedish drivers' licence.