Farewell to a French icon: President Macron and Brigitte join stars including Carla Bruni to pay tribute to legendary singer Charles Aznavour after he died aged 94

  • Charles Aznavour died at his home in Alpilles in southeastern France earlier this week, at the age of 94
  • French-Armenian singer sold more than 100million records and was described as France's Frank Sinatra
  • Today's tribute ceremony in Paris was attended by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte
  • Also in attendance were French singers, including Carla Bruni, as well as her husband Nicolas Sarkozy 
  • Aznavour's coffin was draped in the French flag and carried through the Les Invalides military museum

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Celebrities and dignitaries gathered in Paris today to say goodbye to Charles Aznavour, the iconic singer known as France's Frank Sinatra, who died earlier this week aged 94.

The tribute ceremony in the French capital was attended not only by President Emmanuel Macron, but also his two predecessors Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as the leader of Armenia, the country of Aznavour's roots.

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.

Late legend: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte walk behind Ulla Thorsell, wife of Charles Aznavour, and his children Katia, Seda, Nicolas and Mischa as they follow the late singer's coffin during a national tribute at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Friday

Late legend: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte walk behind Ulla Thorsell, wife of Charles Aznavour, and his children Katia, Seda, Nicolas and Mischa as they follow the late singer's coffin during a national tribute at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Friday

First wives: Both Brigitte and former President Nicolas Sarkozy's wife, model and singer Carla Bruni, wore black 

Somber: President Macron held his wife Brigitte's hand as they walked behind Aznavour's family

Somber: President Macron held his wife Brigitte's hand as they walked behind Aznavour's family

Remembered: Armenian-born French singer Charles Aznavour died on Monday, at the age of 94

Remembered: Armenian-born French singer Charles Aznavour died on Monday, at the age of 94

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.

The 94-year-old sold upwards of 100 million records during his long career, with his best-known songs - besides the iconic anthem 'She' - including 'Hier Encore' (Yesterday When I Was Young), 'Apres l'Amour' (After Love) and 'La Boheme'. 

Aznavour, born to Armenian parents who fled to Paris in the 1920s, became one of the Armenian diaspora's most recognised voices and a vocal defender during a performing career spanning eight decades.

Covered by a French tricolor flag, Aznavour's coffin arrived in the courtyard carried by military personnel to the sound of a traditional Armenian tune. 

In attendance: The presence of celebrities and dignitaries such as the former leaders of France was a testament to the impressive career and impact of Aznavour 

In attendance: The presence of celebrities and dignitaries such as the former leaders of France was a testament to the impressive career and impact of Aznavour 

Past and present: President Macron shakes hands with former French Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday

Past and present: President Macron shakes hands with former French Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy

French Republican guards carry the coffin of French-Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour during the national homage at the Invalides in Paris 

French Republican guards carry the coffin of French-Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour during the national homage at the Invalides in Paris 

A spray of red, blue and orange flowers – the colours of the Armenian flag – was then laid close to the coffin.

'Every Armenian sees him as a close relative,' Mr Pashinyan said. 'Because Aznavour is the one who lifted Armenia to the roof of the world.'

Born Shanoun Varenagh Aznavourian, the singer cut the Armenian suffix from his stage name but never forgot his Armenian roots.

He founded Aznavour and Armenia, a non-profit organisation created after the devastating earthquake that hit Soviet Armenia in 1988.

His film credits include Atom Egoyan's 2002 Ararat, a film that dealt with the 1915 massacres of up to 1.5 million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire.

Aznavour campaigned internationally to get the killings formally deemed a genocide. 

Paying his respect: Macron stood for a monent in silence by Aznavour's coffin, to honour the singer whose career spanned eight decades

Paying his respect: Macron stood for a monent in silence by Aznavour's coffin, to honour the singer whose career spanned eight decades

Countryman: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pays his respects by the coffin of the French-Armenian singer

Countryman: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pays his respects by the coffin of the French-Armenian singer

Rest in peace: Brigitte Macron dries a tear as she holds her husbands hand during the ceremony

Rest in peace: Brigitte Macron dries a tear as she holds her husbands hand during the ceremony

Speaking after Mr Pashinyan, Mr Macron said that 'for so many decades, (Aznavour) has made our life sweeter, our tears less bitter'.

'His songs were for millions of people a balm, a remedy, a comfort,' Mr Macron said, praising Aznavour for the quality of his lyrics and the promotion of France.

'French language is not only the cement of a nation, it's also the catalyst for freedom and hope,' said Mr Macron, who compared Aznavour to French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

The ceremony ended with a rendition of Aznavour's hit Emmenez-Moi, which was played as his coffin was carried away.

The late singer's coffin was carried through the courtyard of the Les Invalides military museum in Paris on Friday

The late singer's coffin was carried through the courtyard of the e Les Invalides military museum in Paris

Singers Mireille Mathieu, fourth from left, song writer Jean-Jacques Debout, sixth from left, and singer Enrico Mathias, fourth from right, were all in attendance

Singers Mireille Mathieu, fourth from left, song writer Jean-Jacques Debout, sixth from left, and singer Enrico Mathias, fourth from right, were all in attendance

One icon's goodbye to another: Legendary French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, aged 85, center, arrives to the ceremony

One icon's goodbye to another: Legendary French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, aged 85, center, arrives to the ceremony

Paying homage: President Emmanuel Macron, delivers a speech during the tribute ceremony

Paying homage: President Emmanuel Macron, delivers a speech during the tribute ceremony

Honored: Soldiers stand guard during a ceremony to pay a tribute to late singer Charles Aznavour in Paris

Honored: Soldiers stand guard during a ceremony to pay a tribute to late singer Charles Aznavour in Paris

Aznavour started his career as a songwriter for French chanteuse Edith Piaf, who took him under her wing.

Like her, his fame ultimately reached well outside France.

The crooner often compared to Frank Sinatra sold more than 180 million records and was one of France's most recognised faces abroad.

He sang to sold-out concert halls until the end and wrote more than 1,000 songs, including the classics La Boheme and She.

A love ballad, She topped British charts for four weeks in 1974 and was covered by Elvis Costello for the film Notting Hill.

Friday's ceremony in Paris marked the second time in a year that France has paid tribute to one of its musical stars after hundreds of thousands gathered on the Champs Elysees in December to mourn the death of Johnny Hallyday.