France marks 11th anniversary of Paris attacks with tribute at Stade de France

France is marking the 11th anniversary of the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks on Friday, with commemorations honouring the 130 people killed. This year the Stade de France, one of the sites targeted by the attackers, hosts a sporting event on 13 November for the first time since the tragedy. Issued on: 13/11/2026 - 16:08 3 min Reading time A tribute to the 2015 Paris attacks victims will take place ahead of Friday evening's Nations Championship rugby match between France and South Africa at the national stadium in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. Earlier this week, France coach Fabien Galthié said: "We will have a moment's pause for the events of that date and we will think about the families and the victims who are still suffering. And we will think about our Republic of course, which is also suffering." The commemoration comes 11 years after coordinated attacks by extremists from the Islamic State group plunged the French capital into mourning and triggered a major overhaul of the country's security arrangements. Law enforcement officers outside the Stade de France following the attacks on 13 November, 2015. AFP 'A race against time’: Former minister on political climate around Paris attacks A night of terror On the evening of 13 November, 2015, three suicide bombers detonated explosives outside the Stade de France shortly after 9pm, while France and Germany were playing an international football friendly attended by then-president François Hollande. One bystander was killed outside the stadium, while the three attackers also died. Almost simultaneously, gunmen opened fire on crowded cafés and restaurants across eastern Paris, before three attackers stormed the Bataclan concert hall, where the American band Eagles of Death Metal was performing. Ninety people were killed at the Bataclan, with concert-goers trapped inside for hours before police launched an assault. Across the three sets of attacks, 130 people were killed and more than 400 injured, many of them seriously. Two survivors have subsequently died by suicide. The attacks prompted a nationwide state of emergency, tighter counter-terrorism measures and years of investigations into the jihadist network responsible. In June 2022 a landmark trial concluded, with 19 defendants convicted. Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker, received a life sentence with virtually no prospect of release. France crowdfunds €440,000 for woman who helped hunt Paris attackers Remembering the victims Eleven years on, the attacks remain deeply etched in France's collective memory, with annual commemorations bringing together survivors, bereaved families and public officials. Friday's rugby fixture adds a symbolic dimension to this year's commemorations, returning international sport to the Stade de France on the date of the attacks. France's football team played on 13 November in both 2021 and 2025, but those matches were held at the Parc des Princes rather than the national stadium. Galthié said the occasion offered an opportunity for reflection beyond sport. "We have a series of events centred around November 13 – reflection, remembrance and, above all, a chance to ask questions about our society and the role we have in this society," he said. The French rugby team also took part in Armistice Day commemorations on Wednesday, with captain Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Friday's tribute will take place before the match kicks off at 9:10pm, bringing a moment of remembrance to the stadium where the attacks began 11 years ago. (with newswires)