The 2015 Paris Attacks: What Happened and Why

On November 13th, 2015, at 9:16 P.M., a loud explosion was heard outside the famous Stade de France. This was the start of a large-scale tragedy in France’s capital city, Paris. These coordinated attacks across the 20 arrondissements of Paris spread nonstop tragedy through the night and for years to come. This event is widely known in France and across the world as the worst attack on French soil since World War II. As all of France recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of this incredibly heart-wrenching event, I wanted to take a moment to educate people about what happened and how this still impacts society today.

As previously mentioned, the full-scale attack began at the Stade de France during an international friendly football match between France and Germany. The first explosion was noticed by many fans and players, but many thought this was an agricultural boom as the stadium was in the suburbs of the capital. A few minutes passed, and another boom was heard outside the stadium. This time, two kamikaze terrorists had strapped themselves with bombs and tried to enter the stadium. After they were unable to do so, they decided to set off the bombs in crowds around the stadium. At halftime, the players walked into the locker room, uncertain of what was going on around them. All press monitors and TVs were shut off, which was a rare occurrence. The President of France, François Hollande, was present at this match and was spotted leaving his box to talk with security. Everyone was told to keep quiet and not let outside information come in. Little did they know, all of Paris had just erupted into widespread chaos. The match continued normally, but Paris wasn’t normal. At the end of the match, the players were finally told the news, and they all tried to reach their close friends and family. Everyone was stuck in the stadium after the match, as the President, police, and venue security decided to shut all gates and bring people onto the field for everyone to be in full security.

Meanwhile, in downtown Paris, many terrorists walked down the street, shooting and killing everyone they saw. People who were enjoying their night outside in cafes and restaurants had to hide wherever they could. The highest concentration of terrorists was in the tenth and eleventh arrondissements, but they were also widespread across the rest of Paris. At around 9:40 PM, the famous Bataclan Concert Hall was sieged. This was the deadliest attack of them all, as terrorists took everyone in the Hall hostage and killed most of them during an Eagles of Death Metal concert. The police made a rapid intervention, but were unfortunately too late in most places. The siege at the Bataclan ended after midnight. During this night that heavily altered France’s history, 132 people were killed, and hundreds were wounded.

Responsibility for these attacks was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). These attacks were planned from Syria and organized via a Belgian-French Jihadist Network. A prominent figure was Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who was a Belgian-born Islamist. He is known for being the mastermind behind the attacks. Abaoud had previously appeared in ISIS propaganda videos and was suspected of involvement in other European attack attempts. Additionally, the only surviving participant, Salah Abdeslam, fled to Belgium and was captured months later. His arrest and testimony provided crucial details about how the network operated. He also explained in his interrogation that the Paris assaults were not isolated attacks, but part of a broader strategy by ISIS to strike European cities during that period. 

Even a decade later, the actions of that night continue to shape French society. Survivors still deal with physical injuries and emotional scars, and families of victims continue to mourn loved ones whose lives were taken far too soon. Many Parisians describe November 13 as a turning point, a moment when ordinary life was interrupted by a deep and lasting event. Public spaces such as stadiums, concert halls, and cafés, once symbols of French culture, became reminders of how quickly tragedies can unfold.

In the years following the attacks, France implemented major changes in its national security policies. Intelligence agencies were allowed to have expanded surveillance capabilities, border checks were reinforced, and the country remained under a state of emergency for months. Schools, transportation centers, and cultural venues adopted stricter security protocols that can still be observed today. These measures, while sometimes controversial, showed the government’s attempt to ensure that tragedies like this one never happen again. The attacks also sparked widespread conversations about integration, extremism, and the challenges of multiculturalism in modern Europe. Many French citizens looked for comfort through unity, rallying behind the slogan “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (“Tossed but not sunk”), a centuries-old motto that became a symbol of Paris’s resilience. Candlelight vigils and memorial gatherings became annual rituals of remembrance, bringing communities together in solidarity.

As we reflect on the tenth anniversary of November 13th, it becomes clear that the legacy of that night was not only defined by the violence that occurred but also the strength and unity of the citizens in the aftermath. Paris continues to shine, not because people haven’t forgotten about the events, but because people got together in solidarity. The memories of those serve as a reminder of the volatility of peace and the importance of standing together against hatred and violence.