Calves' heads and Chopin: France bids farewell to Chirac
France bid a solemn farewell to Jacques Chirac on Monday (September 30) with a military honor guard and the arrival of scores of current and past world leaders.
The former president has been lying in state at the Hotel Des Invalides in central Paris for two days with thousands queuing up to pay tribute.
On Monday, his coffin was carried into the building's courtyard by ten members of France's elite Republican Guard.
A somber-looking President Emmanuel Macron stood over the casket and bowed his head.
To the sound of Chopin's funeral march, the statesman was loaded onto a hearse for the procession to Saint Sulpice church.
There, 2,000 family members and dignitaries gathered for a funeral service.
Among them, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
But away from the pomp and ceremony, French people have found another way to honor Chirac - through one of his favorite foods.
At Le Pere Claude in Paris, customer Alexis is trying calf's head, or tete de veau, for the first time.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) CUSTOMER EATING CALF'S HEAD FOR HIS FIRST TIME, ALEXIS, SAYING:
"In memory of Jacques Chirac, I followed the trend by having this dish. It's not a typical texture, moist, with a bit of fat."
Chirac, who served as president for 12 years, was known for his common touch and love of regional cuisine. Some farmers dubbed him the "ambassador of tete de veau."
It was at this restaurant that Chirac celebrated his 2002 re-election victory.
Owner Claude Perraudin says he's been in danger of selling out of calf's head, and he also laments that politicians today have become too straight-laced.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) OWNER OF RESTAURANT LE PERE CLAUDE, CLAUDE PERRAUDIN SAYING:
"Sometimes Chirac would have a little pastis with a mint syrup, or a Corona beer. Now, the politicians who come here order roast chicken and a glass of water, just water. Nowadays, no one drinks wine anymore. It's sad, how it's become."
Chirac is feted by many French people for asserting the country's role on the global stage and for his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Even his conviction after he left office for misusing public funds did little to tarnish his image.
Chirac was buried at the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris in a plot next to his daughter who died in 2016.
