Paris attacks: France to hold service two weeks after massacre
France is to hold a national memorial service for the 130 people who died in the Paris attacks two weeks ago. Friday's service (November 27) at the Invalides complex in central Paris will bring together 1,000 people, including President Francois Hollande as well as survivors and victims' families.
Les Invalides, a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, where the memorial service will be held
A minute's silence will be held and the names of all the victims read out. President Hollande will also address the victims’ families. He has asked citizens across the country to "participate by decorating their homes with the blue-white-and-red flag".
U.S. President Barack Obama and French President François Hollande in the White House in 2012
However, not all the victims' families have accepted the invitation to attend the service at the grand complex that houses a military museum and Napoleon's tomb. The family of one victim told French media they had refused, saying not enough had been done to protect the nation in the wake of other attacks here earlier this year.
Napoleon's tomb at Les Invalides
In a series of co-ordinated attacks on 13 November, the gunmen opened fire on restaurants and bars in the city and stormed a concert hall, where 89 people were shot dead. Three more attackers blew themselves up outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, after staff denied them entry to a football match between France and Germany. Islamic State later said it was behind the assault.
The Bataclan concert hall in Paris
More than 350 people were injured in the attacks - the worst in recent French history.
(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)
