Tens of thousands have lined the streets of Paris for the funeral of ‘French Elvis’ Johnny Hallyday.
Crowds have been assembled since early this morning to pay tribute to the legendary French signer who died of lung cancer aged 74 on Wednesday.
His body was transferred from the Parisian suburb of Marnes-La Coquette where he lived to Mont Valerin, south west of the capital, eventually reaching the Place de la Concorde at midday.
Enormous crowds gathered to watch the star’s hearse go down the Champs Elysees, saying a final goodbye to their musical hero.
Crowds have been assembled in cental Paris since early this morning to pay tribute to the legendary French signer who died of lung cancer aged 74 on Wednesday
His body was transferred from the Parisian suburb of Marnes-La Coquette where he lived to Mont Valerin, south west of the capital, eventually reaching the Place de la Concorde at midday. Fans wept as his hearse drove down the Champs Elysees (pictured)
The hearse was driven towards the Madeleine Church in the French capital’s eighth arrondisement where the funeral is due to take place, with President Emmanuel Macron beginning proceedings
Few figures in French history have earned a send-off as elaborate as the one for the man sometimes dubbed the French Elvis. It was ordered by Macron – a Hallyday fan himself, like generations of others across the French-speaking world.
Some fans cried and others waved banners as Hallyday’s body, in a white coffin, was driven down the grand ceremonial avenue towards the Madeleine church for his funeral, where President Emmanuel Macron and former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy are due to speak.
Macron will read a eulogy on the steps of the church and a star lineup of speakers will follow, including actors Marion Cotillard and Jean Reno, and singer Patrick Bruel.
Guests include former Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, who officiated at Hallyday’s last marriage.
The singer’s band and the church choir will alternate songs during the religious ceremony, while approximately 1,500 police officers monitor the high-security event.
The streets of central Paris have been overwhelmed with mourners since the early hours of this morning. They are pictured lining the Champs Elysees as Hallyday’s body, followed by a procession of 700 bikers is driven up the avenue
A teary fan is pictured waving a scarf that reads ‘100 per cent Johnny Hallyday’ ahead of his funeral this afternoon