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| Europe |
| Paris café hit by terrorist attack reopens to public |
| 2015-12-07 |
| Paris bar La Bonne Bière, where five people were killed by jihadist gunmen in the November 13 attacks, reopens to the public on Friday in an emotional step in the city's struggle to regain normality. Three weeks after France’s worst terrorist attacks since World War II, hearts drawn in red crayon decorate the street outside the Casa Nostra and remnants of the sand used to absorb the victims' blood can still be seen. Rose stems poke through bullet holes left in the restaurant's windows – the image becoming one of the ubiquitous symbols of post-attack mourning. A few steps away from the Casa Nostra, the façade of La Bonne Bière has been hastily repaired and tarpaulin covers the ground as the owners prepare to return to business as usual – or almost. The owners of the Carillon and the Petit Cambodge say they also plan to reopen, but at a later date. For now, the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people were killed in the deadliest of the series of shootings and suicide bombings, remains the focus of the mourning. Hundreds of people flock there every day – it is just a short walk from La Bonne Bière – and fresh flowers line the pavements outside. The owners of the concert hall said this week they are determined to re-open the venue, although they are unlikely to be able to do so until the end of next year. |
| Posted by:Steve White |