French people are defying the terror Isis attempted to wreak in their capital by returning to cafes, bars and bistros like the ones targeted in Friday’s attacks.
Diners are sharing photos of themselves smiling, eating and drinking with friends on social media with hashtags including #JeSuisEnTerrasse #TousAuBistrot and #OccupyTerrasse.
Le Monde describes the French “thumbing their nose at Islamic State” with the posts, which show ordinary people’s refusal to be afraid and honour those murdered as they enjoyed dinner with friends just four days ago.
#JeSuisEnTerrasse
#TousAuBistrot
#OccupyTerrasse
As well as the high-profile Stade de France and packed Bataclan concert hall, terrorists took deliberate aim at Paris’ celebrated café culture.
At 9.25pm, diners sat outside the Le Carillon and Le Petit Cambodge were sprayed with bullets by gunmen who suddenly pulled up in a car. At least 15 victims died.
Just minutes later, Italian restaurant the Casa Nostra and adjacent bar Cafe Bonne Biere were targeted.
Four minutes after that, 19 people were shot dead at La Belle Equipe before a suicide bomber detonated his vest outside the Comptoir Voltaire.
In its statement claiming responsibility for the massacres, which killed 129 people, Isis called Paris “the capital of prostitution and vice, the lead carrier of the cross in Europe”.
Security measures have been increased across the country, which declared a national state of emergency on Friday, with 115,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers have mobilised.
President Francois Hollande called the attack an “act of war” and is preparing for talks with Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin to co-ordinate military action against Isis in Syria.
