- Title: Parisians share memories, pay tribute to former president Jacques Chirac
- Date: 27th September 2019
- Summary: PARIS CITY HALL WITH BILLBOARD SHOWING PHOTO OF CHIRAC WITH THEN SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA
- Embargoed: 11th October 2019 13:25
- Keywords: Jacques Chirac President of France Elysee Palace tributes death Paris city hall
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA007AYFONK7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Elysee Palace has opened its doors to the public to mourn former president Jacques Chirac, who died on Thursday at the age of 86 (September 26).
Parisians queued up at the French president's residence, currently occupied by Emmanuel Macron, to sign condolence books in tribute to Chirac, next to a large portrait of the head of state.
Remu Issons, who signed the book at the Elysee, said that it was an opportunity to pay tribute to a much-loved president, who asserted France's role in the international community.
Outside the city hall, Parisians were also mourning Chirac, who was Paris mayor for 18 years.
"My heart is heavy…For me it's my whole youth", said Anne Firmin, tearful as she watched a billboard displaying photos of the former president.
Chirac was president from 1995 to 2007. He shaped his style in the mould of post-war leader Charles de Gaulle, seeking to strengthen France's status as a player on the world stage and was best remembered for his opposition to the war in Iraq.
Chirac passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones, his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux told Reuters.
Prime minister for presidents on the political left and right before entering the Elysee Palace himself, Chirac had a knack for connecting with voters, particularly in rural France.
President Emmanuel Macron cancelled a public engagement and declared a national day of mourning for Monday.
(Production: Kathryn Carlson, Noemie Olive, Anthony Paone) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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