A Bar Hit In The Paris Attacks Breaks Silence With Message Of Hope And Solidarity

Le Carillon is a modest, nondescript bar in Paris near the Canal Saint-Martin. It has been around for more than 40 years. Judging from reviews on Yelp and in Time Out, it's favorite for many.

But last Friday, the bar became one of the targets in the worst terrorist attack in French history. A group of gunmen pulled up and shot into Le Carillon's crowded terrace with machine guns, killing 10 and injuring 15.

After the attacks, people from all over Paris gathered at the bar to pay their respects to the victims and leave flowers. The bar's staff, however, remained silent.

But then, on Thursday night, a reporter for Libération discovered a note taped to the wall of the restaurant.

The note was a message from the owners and staff of Le Carillon to the families of the victims of the attacks. It read: "Be strong and have courage. Let’s stay united in grief but also in hope of happier and always fraternal days."

Here is a translation of the whole message:

We want to offer our sincere condolences and to express our deep solidarity with the families of victims, people who were close to them, and all of you dear friends and regulars who have been the soul of this place for the past 40 years.

Under the shock, we didn’t express ourselves earlier. How can you find the words in such a time? But all of our thoughts since Friday have been for you who have lost a loved one.

Thank you for your moving support.

Be strong and have courage. Let’s stay united in grief, but also in hope of happier and always fraternal days.

We love you.

Le Carillon