A funeral procession then brought the coffin to the St.-Sulpice church, about a mile east, where nearly 2,000 guests gathered for a religious service, including former French presidents, dozens of French officials and representatives from across the political spectrum.

One of Notre-Dame Cathedral’s main bells rang out to mark the procession’s departure, the first time it has tolled since a fire ravaged the building in April. Small crowds lined the streets and clapped as Mr. Chirac’s hearse, surrounded by a motorcade, slowly drove by.