PARIS – A decade ago, Paris was gripped by a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks that transformed the city into a scene of horror, as gunfire erupted on café terraces, blasts shook a stadium, and a massacre unfolded at the Bataclan concert hall, claiming 132 lives and injuring hundreds more.

The events of that night have since marked a stark divide in time for many families, signifying a “before” and “after.” The attacks deeply impacted France’s perception of security, prompting heightened vigilance while simultaneously fostering a lasting spirit of solidarity among citizens.

On Thursday, Paris will honor the anniversary with a series of commemorations, led by President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The tributes will take place at each attack location, beginning at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, moving to the cafés and restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, and concluding at the Bataclan. A minute of silence will be observed at each memorial plaque, with victims’ relatives standing closest, according to officials.

At Place de la République, residents are encouraged to place candles, flowers, and messages at the base of the statue representing Marianne, echoing the gestures seen in 2015. A large screen will display the ceremonies, inviting families, including children, to partake in these acts of remembrance, turning the square into a collective memorial. City authorities have requested that gatherings remain serene, allowing families the space they need at the tributes.

The day’s events will culminate at the Jardin du 13-Novembre, a newly dedicated memorial garden located opposite City Hall. Developed in collaboration with victims’ associations, the garden features granite stelae engraved with the names of the 132 victims. It also includes plantings reminiscent of the attack sites and offers benches for contemplation. Designed to include elements like bird baths and nesting boxes for children, the garden reflects a message of life and hope. The ceremony, set for 6 p.m., will be attended by Macron and Hidalgo.

The Eiffel Tower is to be lit in the colors of the French flag after nightfall. The French soccer federation will observe a minute of silence and other tributes at France’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes.

On Nov. 13, 2015 — a Friday — nine Islamic State group gunmen and suicide bombers struck within minutes of one another. Suicide bombers detonated outside the Stade de France; gunmen sprayed bullets across café terraces; and three attackers stormed the Bataclan at 9:47 p.m., killing 90 people before police ended the siege. Two survivors who later died by suicide have since been recognized among the victims.

For survivors, the date reopens wounds.

“The 10th anniversary is here and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors,” said Arthur Dénouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan and leads the Life for Paris association. “You never fully heal. You just learn to live differently.”

Many describe a second task after grief: rebuilding the ordinary — work, friendship, noise — without flinching.

A 2021–2022 trial ended with life imprisonment without parole for Salah Abdeslam, the lone surviving assailant, and convictions for 19 others. For many, accountability did not erase the strain of trauma or the daily work of recovery; it clarified what must be protected.

As names are read and wreaths laid, the message from officials and families is consistent: remember the victims, honor the responders, and preserve the ordinary pleasures the attackers meant to destroy.

The goal, planners say, is simple: grief without spectacle, memory with room for the living.