Thousands of mourners lined up outside the Paris landmark, where France honours its heroes, to pay their respects to the late president. Visitors described Chirac as a unifying figure and praised his opposition to the 2003 Iraq War – his signature foreign policy legacy. Organizers said Invalides would remain open overnight to accommodate the large crowds.

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will preside over military honours for Chirac at a memorial ceremony attended by some 30 heads of state, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The former French president will be buried beside his daughter Laurence at a cemetery in Paris.