Many of the actors at Mr Brook's Paris theatre, the Bouffes du Nord, are originally from Francophone Africa.

ECONOMIST: At 81, Peter Brook turns to Africa to keep himself young

The staff in the Brasserie du Nord, across the Rue de Dunkerque, speak whimsically of the prospect of more English custom.

ECONOMIST: For some, France is still on the other side of the earth

Many members of the city's Kurdish community live near the center, located near the Gare du Nord in Paris's 10th district.

CNN: Police: 3 Kurdish women shot dead in Paris

Police used tear gas to disperse up to 100 youths at the Gare du Nord, one of Paris's major transport hubs.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Dozens riot in Paris rail station

On the French side, passengers avoiding the air route via Charles de Gaulle airport are now planted straight into the old vault-like Gare du Nord.

ECONOMIST: For some, France is still on the other side of the earth

Le Bassin minier du Nord-Pas de Calais (France).

UNESCO: Bureau de l'UNESCO �� Dakar

The train involved in Sunday night's incident had originally been due to leave Gare du Nord at 2043 CET and arrive at St Pancras at 2159 GMT but was delayed by about an hour after an unattended bag caused a security alert.

BBC: Passengers rescued after Eurostar breaks down in Kent