Triangle Parisians reflect on attacks

“It’s a really sad day for France and the world,” said Chase Foster, a Raleigh native who is studying in Paris.

Foster said he had dinner about a mile from where one of the attacks was carried out. He said while he was out, there was no sign of what was going to happen.

“Over the last few hours, I’ve heard a lot of sirens coming from all directions,” Foster said. “I think they were trying to hit places where there were a lots of people. It’s Friday night.”

Marie-Claire Rebeill is the Honorary French Consul in North Carolina. She also teaches at North Carolina State University.

Rebeill said her first thoughts were with her mother and niece who are still living in Paris, but she quickly received worth they are all right.

“The Bataclan is actually a place where people go for music and parties. It’s very popular,” Rebeill said.

Rebeill said she hopes, long term, that the terror attacks won’t change what she and many people enjoy about the city.

“Hopefully the French people will keep a stiff upper lip and don’t have their habits change too much,” she said. “I hope that tomorrow people are able to find the strength and hope, and have an appropriate and proportionate response that’s in line with the French values.”

Rebeill said the students she keeps in touch with, and their families, were unharmed in the attacks.