In pics: France's former presidents gather up to bid farewell to Aznavour

PARIS - 5 October 2018: France said goodbye to Charles Aznavour on Friday, demonstrating the late singer's status as a national icon at a farewell attended by President Emmanuel Macron, his two predecessors and the leader of Armenia, country of Aznavour's roots.

Celebrities, among them the now-frail actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, attended the ceremony under clear blue skies for the singer-songwriter who died this week at 94.

Pallbearers carried Aznavour's Tricolour-draped coffin into the courtyard at the Les Invalides military museum where Napoleon is buried in the heart of the French capital.

Aznavour, whose global reach was enhanced by his ability to sing in half a dozen languages, died at his villa in the village of Mouries, in the southern French Alpilles region, in the night of last Sunday to Monday.

Among his best-known songs - he sold upwards of 100 million records - were “"Hier Encore" (Yesterday When I Was Young), “"Apres l'Amour" (After Love) and “"La Boheme". Others of anthem-status included "She" and "Formidable".

Aznavour, born in Paris on May 22, 1924, to Armenian parents - his birth name Shahnour Aznavourian - grew up on the Left Bank of Paris and began performing at the age of nine.

His first public performances were at Armenian gatherings where his father and older sister Aida sang while he danced.

He broke from the shadows penning songs for Edith Piaf in the years after World War Two, and later brought rapt audiences to their feet at venues as far away as New York's Carnegie Hall.

Macron, due to go on an official visit next week to Armenia that Aznavour had hoped to attend, stood side-by-side with Armenia's leaders for a ceremony that began with an army band rendition of Armenia's national anthem, then France's.


French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Ulla Thorsell, wife of late singer Charles Aznavour, and his children Katia, Seda, Nicolas and Mischa follow the flag-drapped coffin during a national tribute at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau


French President Emmanuel Macron stands by the coffin of Charles Aznavour during a national tribute ceremony in Paris, France, October 5, 2018 Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS


Photos are seen during a national tribute for late singer Charles Aznavour at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes


Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy attend a national tribute for late singer Charles Aznavour during a ceremony at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau


Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and French President Emanuel Macron arrive to attend a national tribute for late singer Charles Aznavour during a ceremony in Paris, France, October 5, 2018 Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS


French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy as French President Francois Hollande looks on during a national tribute for late singer Charles Aznavour during a ceremony at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau


Singers Mireille Mathieu and Eddy Mitchell and guests attend a national tribute for late singer Charles Aznavour during a ceremony at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Republican Guards carry the flag-drapped coffin of late singer Charles Aznavour during a national tribute at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau



French President Emmanuel Macron stands by the coffin of Charles Aznavour during a national tribute ceremony in Paris, France, October 5, 2018 Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS