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York’s Tricolour tribute: Mansion House lit up in red, white and blue for Paris

The French flag flies at half mast over the Mansion House. Photographs: YorkMix

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The Tricolour is flying at half mast above a Mansion House bathed in the colours of the French flag tonight (Wednesday).

It is very visible mark of respect for the people of Paris after the terrorist attacks last Friday which claimed 129 lives.

The Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence, will fly the flag of France at half mast for three days. It will also be bathed in red, white and blue light, including during the official switch on of the Christmas lights on Thursday.

The Lord Mayor's official residence lit in the colours of the French flag
The Lord Mayor’s official residence lit in the colours of the French flag

The city’s leaders offered their thoughts. Council leader Cllr Chris Steward said:

Friday’s attack by Islamic terrorists was horrifying and we stand united in York in sending to French people and Paris in particular our collective thoughts and wishes at this very difficult time.

So close to home this brings into focus the horrors of terrorism throughout the world and those that tragically suffer.

Deputy leader Keith Aspden said York had joined other councils in the region in writing to the Mayor of Paris to express condolences. He said:

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have been affected by the violence and who have lost loved ones.

Lord Mayor of York Cllr Sonja Crisp offered the deepest condolences of all the civic party. She said:

We have a very special connection with communities in Dijon, France, whom we have been twinned with since 1953 so it’s with great sadness that we’ve written to the Mayor of Paris under these circumstances.

At the same time, it has been heart-warming to see the signs of solidarity from across York and beyond.