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Paris attacks: Survivors and victims' families attend memorial ceremony - as it happened Paris attacks: Survivors and victims' families attend memorial ceremony - as it happened
(6 days later)
12.20pm GMT12.20pm GMT
12:2012:20
We’re bringing this live blog to a close now.We’re bringing this live blog to a close now.
Here is how this morning’s moving ceremony played out.Here is how this morning’s moving ceremony played out.
12.12pm GMT12.12pm GMT
12:1212:12
Across France, from Strasbourg to Nice, to Paris and Marseille, the French tricolour (or improvised ones) has been hung from shops, homes and offices.Across France, from Strasbourg to Nice, to Paris and Marseille, the French tricolour (or improvised ones) has been hung from shops, homes and offices.
11.51am GMT11.51am GMT
11:5111:51
The memorial ceremony at Les InvalidesThe memorial ceremony at Les Invalides
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
The solemn ceremony at Les Invalides was a time to remember each of the 130 victims as individuals, with President Francois Hollande promising France would honour them with love, more concerts, and more music.The solemn ceremony at Les Invalides was a time to remember each of the 130 victims as individuals, with President Francois Hollande promising France would honour them with love, more concerts, and more music.
In the biting cold, more than 2,000 people including families of the dead, politicians and dignitaries came to pay tribute at the “national and republican” ceremony at Les Invalides, where France has traditionally honoured its war dead.In the biting cold, more than 2,000 people including families of the dead, politicians and dignitaries came to pay tribute at the “national and republican” ceremony at Les Invalides, where France has traditionally honoured its war dead.
Many of the 350 wounded in the November 13 attacks were at the front of the crowd, in wheelchairs and stretchers, accompanied by Red Cross medics, and others in chairs wrapped up in layers of blankets against the freezing winter mist.Many of the 350 wounded in the November 13 attacks were at the front of the crowd, in wheelchairs and stretchers, accompanied by Red Cross medics, and others in chairs wrapped up in layers of blankets against the freezing winter mist.
Hollande arrived at 10.30am as the Republican Guard played the national anthem La Marseillaise, as photographs of 130 victims appeared on screens, showing them smiling, drinking or holidaying in the sunshine.Hollande arrived at 10.30am as the Republican Guard played the national anthem La Marseillaise, as photographs of 130 victims appeared on screens, showing them smiling, drinking or holidaying in the sunshine.
A trio of singers, Nolwenn Leroy, Camelia Jordana and Yael Naim sang the melancholy ballad ‘Quand on a que l’amour’ (When all we have love) by Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel, followed by the classic French song ‘Perlimpinpin’ originally by French singer Barbara, sung today by Nathalie Dessay.A trio of singers, Nolwenn Leroy, Camelia Jordana and Yael Naim sang the melancholy ballad ‘Quand on a que l’amour’ (When all we have love) by Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel, followed by the classic French song ‘Perlimpinpin’ originally by French singer Barbara, sung today by Nathalie Dessay.
In his sombre 20-minute address, Hollande emphasised the youth of the victims, the majority under 35 years old, and how they had been attacked on the terraces of cafes, eating meals in local bistros, watching football or dancing in a concert hall.In his sombre 20-minute address, Hollande emphasised the youth of the victims, the majority under 35 years old, and how they had been attacked on the terraces of cafes, eating meals in local bistros, watching football or dancing in a concert hall.
“It’s because they represented life that they were killed, it’s because they represented France that they were slaughtered, it’s because they represented freedom that they were massacred,” he said.“It’s because they represented life that they were killed, it’s because they represented France that they were slaughtered, it’s because they represented freedom that they were massacred,” he said.
The attackers acted “in the name of an insane cause and a betrayed God,” he said. “I promise that France will do everything possible to destroy the army of fanatics who committed these crimes.”The attackers acted “in the name of an insane cause and a betrayed God,” he said. “I promise that France will do everything possible to destroy the army of fanatics who committed these crimes.”
France will overcome this enemy, he said. “With our weapons, the weapons of democracy. With our institutions. With international law.”France will overcome this enemy, he said. “With our weapons, the weapons of democracy. With our institutions. With international law.”
France can count on its armed forces in Syria, Iraq and in the Sahel, he said, as well as on the police and the gendarmes, and Parliament which will “adopt all appropriate measures for the defence of national interests.”France can count on its armed forces in Syria, Iraq and in the Sahel, he said, as well as on the police and the gendarmes, and Parliament which will “adopt all appropriate measures for the defence of national interests.”
As the French president ended his speech, singers from the Paris Opera academy and the French Army choir led the crowd in La Marseillaise for the second time, singing all of the verses of the anthem. Hollande did not join the singing, but stood in silence and stared straight ahead.As the French president ended his speech, singers from the Paris Opera academy and the French Army choir led the crowd in La Marseillaise for the second time, singing all of the verses of the anthem. Hollande did not join the singing, but stood in silence and stared straight ahead.
He did not meet with families of victims after the ceremony, aides told French media, not wishing to disturb “the solemnity of the moment”.He did not meet with families of victims after the ceremony, aides told French media, not wishing to disturb “the solemnity of the moment”.
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at 11.54am GMTat 11.54am GMT
11.42am GMT11.42am GMT
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Nelly Minvielle, mother of 39-year-old advertising creative Yannick Minvielle who was killed at the Bataclan theatre, has been speaking to French TV station BFMTV.Nelly Minvielle, mother of 39-year-old advertising creative Yannick Minvielle who was killed at the Bataclan theatre, has been speaking to French TV station BFMTV.
“It was a beautiful tribute,” she said. “Contrary to what I thought, it has given me some comfort.”“It was a beautiful tribute,” she said. “Contrary to what I thought, it has given me some comfort.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.42am GMTat 11.42am GMT
11.39am GMT11.39am GMT
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UpdatedUpdated
at 11.51am GMTat 11.51am GMT
11.17am GMT11.17am GMT
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Despite the tears, this generation has become the face of France, the French president tweets, echoing the words of his speech earlier.Despite the tears, this generation has become the face of France, the French president tweets, echoing the words of his speech earlier.
Malgré les larmes, cette génération est aujourd'hui devenue le visage de la France. Vive la République et vive la France #hommagenationalMalgré les larmes, cette génération est aujourd'hui devenue le visage de la France. Vive la République et vive la France #hommagenational
11.15am GMT11.15am GMT
11:1511:15
The ceremony today was the first time we saw some of the faces of more than 400 people who were injured in the Paris attacks, attending the ceremony in wheelchairs and some on stretchers. Several of the wounded were wrapped up in heavy blankets against the freezing winter weather.The ceremony today was the first time we saw some of the faces of more than 400 people who were injured in the Paris attacks, attending the ceremony in wheelchairs and some on stretchers. Several of the wounded were wrapped up in heavy blankets against the freezing winter weather.
Sixty-nine people are still in hospital following the November 13 attacks, according to a joint statement from the Paris public hospitals.Sixty-nine people are still in hospital following the November 13 attacks, according to a joint statement from the Paris public hospitals.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.15am GMTat 11.15am GMT
11.05am GMT11.05am GMT
11:0511:05
A poignant picture from French news agency AFP, with the names of 130 victims.A poignant picture from French news agency AFP, with the names of 130 victims.
Attentats de Paris : les 130 victimes #AFP pic.twitter.com/qYppX29kN9Attentats de Paris : les 130 victimes #AFP pic.twitter.com/qYppX29kN9
10.55am GMT10.55am GMT
10:5510:55
With Hollande’s call for French citizens to fly the Tricolour today, here are a few more of the inventive ways the red, white and blue colours of the French flag are being displayed across France today.With Hollande’s call for French citizens to fly the Tricolour today, here are a few more of the inventive ways the red, white and blue colours of the French flag are being displayed across France today.
Vendredi 27 novembre 2015 #HommageNational suite aux attentats de Paris 🇫🇷 Drapeau-langes #fiersdelafrance pic.twitter.com/i80Xif3trIVendredi 27 novembre 2015 #HommageNational suite aux attentats de Paris 🇫🇷 Drapeau-langes #fiersdelafrance pic.twitter.com/i80Xif3trI
#FiersdelaFrance pic.twitter.com/dETvkUEcqZ#FiersdelaFrance pic.twitter.com/dETvkUEcqZ
#HommageAuxVictimes #drapeautricolore home-made pic.twitter.com/2fZQm12SS3#HommageAuxVictimes #drapeautricolore home-made pic.twitter.com/2fZQm12SS3
10.46am GMT10.46am GMT
10:4610:46
Francois Hollande's speech - key pointsFrancois Hollande's speech - key points
The French president’s speech in Les Invalides was not just one of mourning but of defiance, addressing issues of national security and democracy as well as paying tribute to the dead.The French president’s speech in Les Invalides was not just one of mourning but of defiance, addressing issues of national security and democracy as well as paying tribute to the dead.
The 130 who died were murdered by assassins “in the name of an insane cause and a distorted god,” Francois Hollande said.The 130 who died were murdered by assassins “in the name of an insane cause and a distorted god,” Francois Hollande said.
I promise that France will do everything possible to destroy the army of fanatics who committed these crimes.I promise that France will do everything possible to destroy the army of fanatics who committed these crimes.
Those who came to kill on the night of November 13 wanted to sow division, he said. “They will fail,” he emphasised. “They have their death cult, but we have a love of life.”Those who came to kill on the night of November 13 wanted to sow division, he said. “They will fail,” he emphasised. “They have their death cult, but we have a love of life.”
It was hatred which drove the Paris attacks, he said, the same enemy that kills in Bamako, Tunis, Palmyra, Paris, and that killed before in London or Madrid.It was hatred which drove the Paris attacks, he said, the same enemy that kills in Bamako, Tunis, Palmyra, Paris, and that killed before in London or Madrid.
“It is a perverted Islam that denies the message of its holy book,” Hollande said.“It is a perverted Islam that denies the message of its holy book,” Hollande said.
France will overcome this enemy, he said. “With our forces, those of the republic. With our weapons, those of democracy. With our institutions. With international law.”France will overcome this enemy, he said. “With our forces, those of the republic. With our weapons, those of democracy. With our institutions. With international law.”
France can count on its armed forces in Syria, Iraq and in the Sahel, he said, as well as on the police and the gendarmes, and Parliament which will “adopt all appropriate measures for the defence of national interests.”France can count on its armed forces in Syria, Iraq and in the Sahel, he said, as well as on the police and the gendarmes, and Parliament which will “adopt all appropriate measures for the defence of national interests.”
Freedom does not need to be avenged but to be served. I welcome this new generation. It has been struck down. It’s not afraid. It will live. It will live fully in the name of the dead we mourn today.Freedom does not need to be avenged but to be served. I welcome this new generation. It has been struck down. It’s not afraid. It will live. It will live fully in the name of the dead we mourn today.
Today, despite the tears, this generation has become the face of France.Today, despite the tears, this generation has become the face of France.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.03pm GMTat 12.03pm GMT
10.32am GMT10.32am GMT
10:3210:32
The crowds are filing out of the courtyard now, out of the biting cold Paris weather where temperatures are around 3°C.The crowds are filing out of the courtyard now, out of the biting cold Paris weather where temperatures are around 3°C.
Many of the injured who watched the ceremony had medical assistance close by, some in wheelchairs and on stretchers.Many of the injured who watched the ceremony had medical assistance close by, some in wheelchairs and on stretchers.
10.21am GMT10.21am GMT
10:2110:21
Message of Hollande's speech: 'France won't change' #parisattacks #HommageAuxVictimesMessage of Hollande's speech: 'France won't change' #parisattacks #HommageAuxVictimes
Hollande: our patriotism today is about resistance not revenge. France still a place of tolerance #HommageAuxVictimesHollande: our patriotism today is about resistance not revenge. France still a place of tolerance #HommageAuxVictimes
I’ll do a fuller post on the themes of Hollande’s speech shortly.I’ll do a fuller post on the themes of Hollande’s speech shortly.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.24am GMTat 10.24am GMT
10.18am GMT10.18am GMT
10:1810:18
The French president has finished speaking.The French president has finished speaking.
Singers from the Paris Opera academy and the French Army choir lead the crowd in La Marseillaise for the second time, to conclude the ceremony, accompanied by the orchestra of the Republican Guard.Singers from the Paris Opera academy and the French Army choir lead the crowd in La Marseillaise for the second time, to conclude the ceremony, accompanied by the orchestra of the Republican Guard.
Many of the crowd of dignitaries and family members are singing, but Hollande stands in silence, staring straight ahead.Many of the crowd of dignitaries and family members are singing, but Hollande stands in silence, staring straight ahead.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.29am GMTat 10.29am GMT
10.15am GMT10.15am GMT
10:1510:15
10.14am GMT10.14am GMT
10:1410:14
Hollande says he will not forget the images of solidarity from around the world, crowds who sang the national anthem and flew French flags.Hollande says he will not forget the images of solidarity from around the world, crowds who sang the national anthem and flew French flags.
He said it seemed like “the whole world was in mourning.”He said it seemed like “the whole world was in mourning.”
10.13am GMT10.13am GMT
10:1310:13
Holland continues:Holland continues:
Those who fell on the 13th November represented our values, and our responsibility is to live those values.Those who fell on the 13th November represented our values, and our responsibility is to live those values.
We will use our anger to defend freedom, every single day.We will use our anger to defend freedom, every single day.
10.12am GMT10.12am GMT
10:1210:12
We will fight to the end, and we will win, says Hollande. “We will not change, we are united on the most basic principles.”We will fight to the end, and we will win, says Hollande. “We will not change, we are united on the most basic principles.”
He pays tribute to all those who came to pay respects to the dead, with flowers, candles, artworks and flags.He pays tribute to all those who came to pay respects to the dead, with flowers, candles, artworks and flags.
10.09am GMT10.09am GMT
10:0910:09
“What do the terrorists want? To divide us, to turn us against each other. They have a death cult and we have love, a love of life,” Hollande says.“What do the terrorists want? To divide us, to turn us against each other. They have a death cult and we have love, a love of life,” Hollande says.
The victims represented so many professions, so many talents, he says. France will remember not only their faces and names, but their hopes and dreams and their ambitions.The victims represented so many professions, so many talents, he says. France will remember not only their faces and names, but their hopes and dreams and their ambitions.
10.06am GMT10.06am GMT
10:0610:06
Hollande is speaking about the spirit of Paris, how the victims were on the terraces of cafes, eating in cafes, singing at the Bataclan.Hollande is speaking about the spirit of Paris, how the victims were on the terraces of cafes, eating in cafes, singing at the Bataclan.
“Many were musicians, that music was unbearable for the terrorists. It was joy they wanted to destroy with their bombs. To respond, we will multiply our songs.”“Many were musicians, that music was unbearable for the terrorists. It was joy they wanted to destroy with their bombs. To respond, we will multiply our songs.”
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at 10.07am GMTat 10.07am GMT
10.04am GMT10.04am GMT
10:0410:04
'France will destroy this army of fanatics', says Hollande'France will destroy this army of fanatics', says Hollande
“Parents will never see their children again, children will never see their parents. Couples are torn apart, brothers and sisters will never meet again,” he says.“Parents will never see their children again, children will never see their parents. Couples are torn apart, brothers and sisters will never meet again,” he says.
France will be by your side and ease your pain, he says to the families. He promises that France will do its upmost to “destroy this army of fanatics that have committed this crime”.France will be by your side and ease your pain, he says to the families. He promises that France will do its upmost to “destroy this army of fanatics that have committed this crime”.
“We know the enemy. It is hatred that kills in Bamako, Tunis, Palmyra, in Paris and which has previously killed in London or Madrid... a perverted Islam that denies the message of its holy book.”“We know the enemy. It is hatred that kills in Bamako, Tunis, Palmyra, in Paris and which has previously killed in London or Madrid... a perverted Islam that denies the message of its holy book.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.20am GMTat 10.20am GMT
10.02am GMT10.02am GMT
10:0210:02
“They represented life, and it is because they represented life, that they were killed. They were beaten down because they represented France,” the president says.“They represented life, and it is because they represented life, that they were killed. They were beaten down because they represented France,” the president says.
10.01am GMT10.01am GMT
10:0110:01
After all the names were read out, cellist Edgar Moreau Sarabande played Bach’s Suite No. 2.After all the names were read out, cellist Edgar Moreau Sarabande played Bach’s Suite No. 2.
Francois Hollande is speaking now.Francois Hollande is speaking now.
10.00am GMT10.00am GMT
10:0010:00
The Guardian has collated some of the individual stories of the people who died in the attacks, from 18 different countries. The youngest was 17. The oldest, 68.The Guardian has collated some of the individual stories of the people who died in the attacks, from 18 different countries. The youngest was 17. The oldest, 68.
Related: Paris attack victims: lives cut cruelly short during night of terrorRelated: Paris attack victims: lives cut cruelly short during night of terror
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.16am GMTat 10.16am GMT
9.53am GMT9.53am GMT
09:5309:53
French president Francois Hollande stands at his chair, a few metres ahead of the rest of the audience, as the names are read out.French president Francois Hollande stands at his chair, a few metres ahead of the rest of the audience, as the names are read out.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.55am GMTat 9.55am GMT
9.49am GMT9.49am GMT
09:4909:49
The name of each of the 130 victims read out at Les InvalidesThe name of each of the 130 victims read out at Les Invalides
Each of the names and ages of the 130 victims - the average age 35 - are being read out in the courtyard as attendees stand in silence.Each of the names and ages of the 130 victims - the average age 35 - are being read out in the courtyard as attendees stand in silence.
The list of 130 names slowly echoing across the vast military courtyard seems endless #hommagenationalThe list of 130 names slowly echoing across the vast military courtyard seems endless #hommagenational
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at 9.54am GMTat 9.54am GMT
9.43am GMT
09:43
Our Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis is watching the ceremony from Les Invalides.
Hollande slowly crosses courtyard of Paris's military complex Invalides. Families watching,wrapped in blankets #homm pic.twitter.com/EDHkD9SRSM
photos of victims projected on giant screen: smiling, having a beer, on holiday, in tuxedo. Mood of utter sadness #hommagenational
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at 9.45am GMT
9.43am GMT
09:43
Attendees have just heard singers Nolwenn Leroy, Camelia Jordana and Yael Naim sing ‘Quand on a que l’amour’ (When we love) by Jacques Brel.
It’s followed by performance of the song ‘Perlimpinpin’ originally by French singer Barbara, sung today by Nathalie Dessay.
Updated
at 9.51am GMT
9.35am GMT
09:35
French national anthem La Marseillaise is playing now in Les Invalides as Francois Hollande arrives at the memorial. We’re expecting a parade of French troops to follow. You can follow the ceremony in the live stream above.
Updated
at 9.37am GMT
9.35am GMT
09:35
Eric Ouzounian, whose 17-year-old daughter Lola died at the Bataclan, has written a moving open letter about why he has decided not to attend the ceremony at Les Invalides, citing the policies of both Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy in Libya and Syria.
Here’s an extract from the piece, published in French on Le Huffington Post.
I consider that the state and its most recent leaders bear a heavy responsibility for what happened.
“This interference of France in the internal affairs of sovereign countries was carried out because of the claim that the Syrian and Libyan leaders were massacring their people. Certainly. As with Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad is a sinister dictator of the worst kind. But there is no leader more execrable than those currently in power in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with which France maintains excellent diplomatic and commercial relations, and who funded Daesh.
Such erosion of political competence is tragic for our country. The last presidents have acted with inconceivable simplicity, with short-term views.
Ouzounian also blames “forty years of failure” in attempts to deal with social depravation, saying France has allowed “districts of despair” to develop.
The divorce between the French and their leaders is accomplished, the social contract is broken, the chasm between the people and the elites is gaping.
Significant violations of public freedoms, eagerly passed by the National Assembly, will solve nothing. The extreme right will always try to outdo them and murderers will always cross borders.
France is unable to provide a future for its youth, Europe is unable to overcome its current liberal stalemate. Our elected officials are unable to offer a political vision.
I am appalled by my country and I am devastated by the death of my daughter.
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at 9.39am GMT
9.22am GMT
09:22
The call out from Francois Hollande for France to show its colours today has been heard across the country, from TV studios to washing lines. Here are some of the creative ways the country is paying tribute.
#FiersDeLaFrance pic.twitter.com/yFhyJL0dbe
Stephane Carpentier et son équipe sont #FiersdelaFrance #RTLMatin > https://t.co/r32D2Mz0mj pic.twitter.com/G19H0qnGiZ
Rediff #FiersdelaFrance pic.twitter.com/2Sg3U6XCXT
#FiersdelaFrance #hommagenational 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/Qp4mI1gsDC
9.16am GMT
09:16
Families of victims and injured pay respect
Families of the dead and many of those injured in the attacks have assembled now in Les Invalides, as an orchestra plays. Politicians and dignitaries have arrived, many wearing the traditional tricolour sashes.
Cour des Invalides, hommage aux victimes. pic.twitter.com/XAV412phx1
Hommage national, aux Invalides. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/qXOciC58oY
Cour des Invalides, hommage aux victimes pic.twitter.com/5rKWgatZVB
Dans une heure, le début de l hommage national aux Invalides pic.twitter.com/L16tVHmrrC
Updated
at 10.17am GMT
9.09am GMT
09:09
The family of Nick Alexander, the British merchandise manager for Eagles of Death Metal, who died when gunmen stormed the band’s concert at the Bataclan, will be at the ceremony today.
They have released a statement in the last hour, paying tribute to their son and expressing thanks for love and support from around the world.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel at the loss of our precious Nick
This is just the beginning of a long road where we will have to get used to the absence of his physical presence around us – a physical presence that we loved so much, that made us laugh, that we loved being with, and always held us close wherever he was.
We will get through this with the love and strength of our beloved family, friends and colleagues, and the support of so many people we have never even met.
The outpouring of love from around the world has been a great comfort to us and makes us even more proud to have had Nick as our son. We will love and miss him forever
We extend our love and condolences to all those who have been affected by this indiscriminate act, and are proud to stand with them in unity at the memorial service on Friday. Our lives are intrinsically linked forever.
Updated
at 9.55am GMT
9.05am GMT
09:05
Here are some of the flags hung out from homes and businesses in tribute to those who died, a rarity in France where the national flag has been shunned in recent years as a symbol of the far-right.
Sales of the tricolour have doubled since the attacks, the Guardian’s Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis reports.
A poll last week suggested that almost two-thirds of French people now see it as a positive thing to fly a flag outside a home or in a garden. The leading flag-maker Doublet said it had sold “between two and three times as many French flags as usual” since the attacks.
Herve Burg, director of flag-maker Paris Drapeaux, told Associated Press: “It’s incredible. There have only been two other times in French history that the flag has been popular on this scale. One was the World Cup in 1998. The other was the end of the second world war.”
Burg said he had received so many orders that the factory ink machine had run out.
8.58am GMT
08:58
Some victims’ families have said they will snub the event, accusing the government of failing to protect its citizens after the January attacks on the magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket left 17 people dead
Emmanuelle Prevost, whose brother Francois-Xavier Prevost was one of the 90 killed at the Bataclan concert hall, called for a boycott in a Facebook post. She criticised the lack of action on free movement, radicalisation in mosques, and also French airstrikes in Syria “without a care for the safety of [French citizens].”
There were 17 victims in France from the 7th until the 9th of January. Since then nothing has been done, if bills were voted on, nothing has been implemented.
Ten months later, the same people are able to restart and this time, cause 10 times more deaths.
Thanks Mr President, politicians, but we don’t want your handshake or your tribute, and we hold you partly responsible for what has happened! We needed to act earlier, and the attacks in January should have been sufficient.
Matthieu Mauduit, whose brother Cedric was killed in the Bataclan concert hall, also said on Facebook that he would not be attending the commemoration ceremony, although he did not call for a boycott.
I don’t want to be a political ‘trophy’ exhibited by a government that did nothing for months, for years.
I don’t think it is very consistent on the part of our leaders to do a national tribute, and at the same time sell weapons and buy oil from those who murder us
I pay tribute every day to all the victims, not only of the Bataclan and the attacks of 13/11 but also of all the other tragedies resulting from violence, ignorance and barbarism.
The best tribute is to love, respect your neighbour and remain objective in every situation.
8.27am GMT
08:27
France will mourn the 130 people killed in the country’s worst terror attacks, with President Francois Hollande leading tributes to each of the victims.
You can watch the ceremony via our live stream at the top of this live blog.
Here’s what is expected to happen at the ceremony:
It will take place in sobriety and solemnity, reflected by the beauty of the surroundings.
Every French citizen can take part by taking the opportunity to deck their home with a blue, white and red flag, the colours of France.