Thousands of mourners lined up outside the Paris landmark of Invalides, where France honours its heroes, to pay their respects to the late president whose coffin lay in state, draped in the French flag.

Visitors paid emotional tributes to the former president, prime minister, lawmaker and Paris mayor, describing Chirac as a unifying figure and praising his opposition to the 2003 Iraq War – his signature foreign policy legacy.

Organisers said the Invalides would remain open overnight to accommodate the large crowds.

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will preside over military honours for Chirac at a memorial ceremony attended by some 30 heads of state, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin.