It was a moment's silence which said much about the French in Australia mourning the dead after the third terrorist attack in 18 months.
Dozens gathered outside the French embassy in Canberra on Monday to mark a minute's silence for victims of the truck rampage that killed 84 people last week in the town of Nice.
They were joined by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Defence head Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier.
Mr Lecourtier was visibly distraught as he sang his national anthem with the crowd.
But it was his opening words which encapsulated the weariness of his people after yet another attack.
"Once again, once again," he said.
For many it had been a day of national celebration turned into a nightmare.
"We are scared and just shocked by the horror of how our lives can change in only one night," Canberra-based Frenchman Louis-Marie Guyonneau told AAP.
Sir Peter, who was in Paris that night, recalled how he learnt of the "insane, murderous attack" after watching fireworks in a Bastille Day parade.
"It was a terrible thing," he told the crowd in Canberra.
He said the French people would persevere and stressed Australia's solidarity.
"Australia is with you now and with you throughout the future."
Mr Lecourtier said it would be an important sign of solidarity if Australians continued with their travel plans to France, saying security had been increased.
"You cannot expect such a thing to happen everywhere every day, but that's probably a message of solidarity as the one expressed here this afternoon."
Asked whether Australia should join with his country in stepping up attacks on Islamic State in Syria, he said it was a matter for the Turnbull government.
