Photographer Reflects on Capturing Paris Attacks’ Defining Image
On the evening of November 13, 2015, France experienced one of its darkest moments. At 9:36 PM, François Hollande, then President of France, received alarming news about coordinated terrorist attacks while attending a soccer match at the Stade de France. This event marked a pivotal moment in French history and a significant alert for national security.
Significant Events of November 13, 2015
As the match between France and Germany continued, explosions erupted outside the stadium. Two suicide bombers detonated devices near the stadium’s gates, signaling the onset of terror. Marie Etchegoyen, official photographer for the Élysée, captured a defining image at that moment.
The Defining Image of Terror
Marie Etchegoyen was documenting the match, expecting a night filled with camaraderie. Instead, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Initially mistaking the explosions for fireworks, she soon grasped the gravity of the situation as details unfolded.
- Date: November 13, 2015
- Time: 9:36 PM
- Key Locations: Stade de France, Paris
- Key Figures: François Hollande (President), Manuel Valls (Prime Minister)
- Casualties: 130 dead, over 400 injured
The photograph, taken moments after the initial blast, features Hollande on the phone, visibly shocked. It has since become a symbol of the moment France realized it was under attack. Holland later remarked on the atmosphere of panic and confusion that followed the blasts.
Responses and Aftermath
In the immediate aftermath, Hollande made the decision to keep the audience calm, avoiding panic by not evacuating the stadium. However, as the attacks continued in Paris, the situation worsened. Multiple locations were targeted, including popular dining spots in the 10th and 11th districts.
Later that night, attackers stormed the Bataclan concert hall, leading to a tragic loss of life and further chaos. Security forces ultimately ended the hostage situation hours later, but by then, the damage was irreversible.
Hollande addressed the nation via televised speech later that night. He described the events as an “act of war,” emphasizing the need for vigilance and solidarity in the face of such violence.
A Lasting Impact
Reflecting on the events a decade later, Marie Etchegoyen expressed disbelief that she had captured a historic moment amidst the chaos. Today, the haunting image remains archived, symbolizing France’s resilience in the face of terror.
Hollande recalls the emotional weight of revisiting the sites of those attacks. He stresses the importance of collective memory, urging the French people to remember those lost and the lessons learned. “We must be united in the face of adversity,” he asserts.
The attacks of November 13, 2015, forever altered France’s landscape, both politically and socially. They serve as a reminder of the country’s capacity for unity and resilience in the face of terror. The defining image taken by Etchegoyen stands as a tribute to those events, encapsulating a pivotal shift for the nation.
