PARIS, France -- Almost 24 hours after France suffered the worst loss of life in a hostile attack since the Second World War, the mood in Paris is subdued, the usually bustling streets mostly empty of life.
There’s life among the streets of the 10th and 11th arrondissements and the areas that were targeted in the sustained attack, but none of the usual vivacity.
Along the canals, streets are mostly deserted, with shops, markets, restaurants and tourist attractions such as Eiffel Tower and the Louvre shuttered. Concerts have been cancelled. Theatres are keeping their curtains down.
Even La Place de la Republique, the scene of so much communal anguish and solidarity after the Charlie Hebdo attacks 10 short months ago, doesn’t have anywhere near the same crowds.
Outside La Casa Nostra pizzeria, people gaze glumly at the numerous bullet holes in the window as the afternoon starts to fade. Five people died in a hail of at least 100 bullets here, and eight are fighting for their lives.
The scene outside Casa Nostra pizza restaurant. pic.twitter.com/28D4M8MYuL— Tim Chester (@timchester) November 14, 2015
A curled piece of paper advertises the meals –- pizzas, salads, plats du jour -– on offer behind a deserted bar. Across the road, a launderette lies wide open, its window shattered, glass still spread all over the floor. Another bar also has windows riddled with bullet holes.
A launderette littered with glass on Rue de la Fontaine au Roi in Paris. pic.twitter.com/Ty9A0V5vLJ— Tim Chester (@timchester) November 14, 2015
Further south, by the cordons closing off the Bataclan gig venue from onlookers, clusters of satelitte dishes mark out groups of mobile broadcasting units. In front of them presenters lit by bright lights send the news to onlookers across the globe. A circle of men shout to each other about the days events, trying to work together to talk it out and assimilate what they've been through.
Nearby, locals peer through the bushes of a park, ashen-faced, for a glimpse of the shuttered venue. It was here that at least 89 people lost their lives.
Vive la France. Tributes near the Bataclan music venue. pic.twitter.com/Vsl0CHwkPv— Tim Chester (@timchester) November 14, 2015
As evening approaches, there is some life in the cafes in the nearby streets but nothing like the usual Saturday night crowd. Many tables by the windows are empty.
The Metro line south, meanwhile, is deserted. It’s usually standing room only in the carriages but tonight there are seats aplenty. No-one’s talking.
Metro station by Bataclan venue deserted. Normally standing room only on these trains at this time on a Saturday. pic.twitter.com/UCMDQ1WmZu— Tim Chester (@timchester) November 14, 2015
Down by La Belle Equipe bar, a carpet of flowers and candles has taken the space normally occupied by drinkers on the terrace outside.
Here, a burst of gunfire killed 19 people and left another nine with life-threatening injuries. Some 100 casings were found.
The shutters are down, and two bullet holes in the window of an adjacent patisserie have been turned into a sad face with a smudge of white paint.
This is on the window of a patisserie next to La Belle Equipe restaurant. pic.twitter.com/skYoRKEVfF— Tim Chester (@timchester) November 14, 2015
A toddler in a buggy cries as his parents move forward through the throng to pay their respects. One man in the shadows gives an interview to someone with a notepad, his cheeks glistening with tears in the sodium light.