12.1.15

The largest crowd ever...


The largest crowd ever on the Paris streets… We were probably close to two million people.







I was at the Place de la République quite early this morning, before the crowds arrived.



All broadcasting people were already there...


… and soon all the others arrived.



People around the Place were watching.


At 3 pm it was time to take the direction of Place de la Nation.


Two hours later I had made 1/3 of the way...so I decided for a return home. The metro was also crowded.



But my kids and grand-kids had in the meantime reached Place de la Nation.








I don’t believe I have to tell you much more. The event has been followed all over the world. Here are however some photos stolen on the net.









 … but what I want to confirm, was the fantastic peaceful and nice atmosphere.  I sincerely hope that this tragic event will have at least some good come from it!

23 comments:

Kate said...

Amazing photos for an important rally, Peter. Our dreams of peace among all is something that I am afraid will not be achievable because of the baser instincts of some aspects of humanity. Deeply wish it was different. In the meantime, we all need to support one another and do our best to work for peace and stability whenever and wherever we can.

Anonymous said...


Un articulo fantastico que llena de emocion al que lo ve...lo lee...

Es impresionante su dedicacion, M.Peter!
¡Mil Gracias!

Sue Hayton said...

Moi, je suis Charlie. We are all with you in France.

Virginia said...

I knew you were there somewhere Peter. I knew you would not miss it. Thank you for these wonderful photographs of this amazing event. You know I was worried about all of you. I"m so grateful that it went so peacefully.
V

Julie said...

I could "feel" the atmosphere from both your imges, and those taken by Ciel from Versailles, Peter. It is exhilarating, and scarey all wrapped in one when in a crowd of that magnitude, all inching in the same direction. But how did you manage to stop. To move to the edge of that slowly moving glacier.

The point has been made. Now to set some aims, and to work to achieving them.

Merci, mon bon monsieur ...

Betty Carlson said...

That is how I feel too -- if only some good were to come of this all. If not, it seems to be a bit in vain.

My daughter lives in Paris and was never able to get into the actual march, but I don't think she got moving as early as you did.

Turkey Tours said...

This images are cool and the the crowd seems very energetic..glad you shared your this..

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hello Peter. I was sat glued to the tv ..thinking of my friends and every one in Paris .. I had a phone call during the March from one friend who lives there ..wanted to be there but the crowds would of been too much ..and another couldn't get down there so she went to the end , which was near her home ....I am sure you are right, thinking it was near two million people. Unbelievable, I have been there and it doesn't seem possible. . And it was peaceful ...it was remarkable . What an atmosphere that came across. Thank you for sharing , take care. Anne.

Olivier said...

un moment extrêmement fort, qui restera dans nos memoires

Gunn said...

Dette er en fantastisk foto dokumentar serie du har laget.
Viktige og sterke foto!

Vi hadde storm og uvær her, men jeg fulgte direkte sending på TV.

Vi ble sjokkert over galskapen som skjedde i Paris!

Så bra at du fikk være der. Millioner av mennesker og sikkert vanskelig å komme fram.


Thérèse said...

De beaux signes partout a travers la France.
Ne pas s'arreter la maintenant, dialoguer avancer et changer.

Daniel Chérouvrier said...

Merci pour cet hommage et ce témoignage.

Jeanie said...

You're right, Peter. Your photos speak far more than words could. I watched much of this non-stop on CNN and was moved by the comments, the love, the support and the outpouring of commitment that this should not happen. Thought of you and my Paris friends as I did (but didn't see you in the crowd -- and yes, I looked hard!)

Vagabonde said...

What a fantastic day ! I am pleased that you were able to be there and show us some of your great pictures – elles réchauffent le cœur et l’esprit. J’espère que le dialogue va continuer.

Mona said...

Its so disturbing to learn each day what the world is coming to. However it is heartening to see the people of a Nation Unite in such numbers at the time of crisis. May Peace reign in the world.
Hope you are well Peter. I haven't been blogging since quite a while, but I remember you all and miss you too. G Man of our blogging world passed away last month, which is really sad. I am busy at my University, but I hope that I might be able to post again soon.
Regards
Mona

lyliane six said...

J'ai beaucoup aimé ta dernière phrase, et je l'espère aussi de tout coeur

Cezar and Léia said...

Émouvant!
Merci Peter!

JudyMac said...

A magnificent, amazing and peaceful show of support. We can only hope, Peter ..... we can only hope.

Robert Alescio said...

Thank you for posting these (and everything else), Peter. You are a national treasure.
Robert A.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the great photos. I just remembered to look up your blog ... was in Paris last May and miss being there everyday... praying for peace.

Synne said...

Paris is in my heart and my thoughts these days, even more than usual. It is so good to know that people come together for peace in these tough times. Thank you for sharing the experience with us!

claude said...

Mince alors ! Je t'avais encore perdu, Sais plus comment j'ai fais la dernière pour 0 ne plus être bloquée.
Je trouvais un peu étrange que tu sois parti si longtemps, quoique c'est ton droit le plus stricte.
C'est bien triste ce qui s'est passé et la journée de dimanche fut bouleversante d'émotion.
Moi personnellement, je suis triste et en colère et je me demande si tout cela va franchement servir à ce que du bien sorte de tout ça.

Shammickite said...

An incredible event for peace and tolerance. But the danger remains.