More than 10 years after the November 13, 2015 attacks, the French state is preparing to pay official tribute to some of the forces who intervened at the Bataclan. This Tuesday the 21st, a ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Élysée Palace for the presentation of a collective medal to the police forces who participated in the assault. Emmanuel Macron must award the Legion of Honour to 55 members of the law enforcement and rescue services mobilized that night.
Those honored include members of the Paris Police Prefecture, the BRI (Research and Intervention Brigade), the RAID (Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) unit, and the Paris Fire Brigade. This ceremony follows the commitment made by the President during the commemorations of the 10th anniversary of the attacks, scheduled for November 2025. It aims to officially recognize the actions of those who participated in the assault and the neutralization of the terrorists at the Bataclan.
As a reminder, the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris and Saint-Denis left 132 dead and more than 350 wounded, and the Bataclan remains one of the most striking symbols of that night of horror. Ten years later, the question of remembrance, tribute, and recognition of those involved remains particularly sensitive.
A persistent controversy
The ceremony was not universally accepted. Several officers from BAC 75N, present at the Bataclan that night and considered among the first to enter the venue, were not among those honored. This omission fueled a deep sense of bitterness among some officers, who felt left out despite their commitment during the attack. The frustration remains, and a controversy persists surrounding these officers who have described themselves for years as... "forgotten".
By honoring 55 agents this Tuesday, the State is making a strong gesture, but it does not completely end the debate on those who also believe they contributed to saving lives that night.
