Paris attacks stir expat's terror memories

FRENCH expatriate Michael Palardis was working in his Buderim restaurant when a customer told him of terrorist attacks on his home country.

The horror unfolding  brought back memories of the sounds of emergency services rushing to the scene of the Charlie Hebdo attacks that occurred while he was in Paris in January.

Mr Palardis was in the same Le Marais section of Paris as the Charlie Hebdo offices on January 7.

"I remember people running and hearing the fire brigade," Mr Palardis said.

"I had no idea what was happening until I went to my hotel and they told us to stay inside.

"I was not scared, I was not afraid, I was more in shock- how could that happen?"


French expatriate Michael Palardis reflects at his Buderim restaurant on the Paris terrorist attacks. Photo Stuart Cumming/ Sunshine Coast Daily
French expatriate Michael Palardis reflects at his Buderim restaurant on the Paris terrorist attacks. Stuart Cumming

That shock returned while he went about cooking for customers at his Funky Frog, formerly Le Baroque, restaurant today.

He called his friends in Paris, who were safe from the violence.

"When a bad thing happens it reunites people for the better.

"It did it in January, it will do it again and this time I think it is going to be stronger."

He said there needed to be better conversation to avoid violence.

"There will always be in this world someone who believes that their view is the strongest view over any other person.

"They are the dangerous ones."

How does the Paris attack make you feel about your safety?

This poll ended on 30 November 2015.

Current Results

No different. These were isolated extremists who want us to feel scared. I won't let them win.


A little unsafe. This could happen anywhere, with any target.


Really worried. I don't think Australia is prepared for an attack like this.


It makes me less likely to visit Europe, but I feel safe here.



Mr Palardis referenced his own experience of migrating from his home city of Cognac when describing how he thought France could counter terrorism.

"When I came here I was told 'this is Australia, if you don't like it, get out'."

He said it took him seven years to understand Australia.

The experience changed his outlook.

"When you live in another country as a migrant you have more acceptance.

"You know what to say and what not to say."

He appreciated the support he had received from customers.

"The people of Buderim are world travellers.

"They have a passion for France and they care."

Meanwhile, former Sunshine Coast woman Jenny Munro's mother Claire was relieved her daughter had left the city days before the attack.

A post Jenny wrote on her Facebook page showed how close she had come to being involved.

"One of the attacks was right near our friends' house where we stayed (luckily they are fine) - we are just stunned by the whole thing. Shocking."

Claire said her daughter was still in France by safe.

"We've had a couple of emails."