Stade de France reopens for first time since November terror attacks which killed 130

Armed soldiers stood guard as the Stade de France re-opened for the Six Nations Credit: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

The Stade de France stadium in Paris has opened its doors for the first time since it was targeted by the deadly terrorist attacks in November.

There was a heavy security presence as 64,000 fans gathered to watch the the Six Nations match between France and Italy today.

French president Francois Hollande will also be among the crowd at the stadium, which is in the Parisien suburb of Saint-Denis at the heart of the mass terror attacks.

Investigators at the scene of one of the November terror blasts near the stadium Credit: REUTERS/Gonazlo Fuentes

The president had been at a friendly football match between France and Germany in the stadium when three suicide bombers blew themselves up nearby.

It had marked the start of a coordinated night of terror that ultimately left 130 people dead.

ITV News Correspondent Rupert Evelyn reports:

Explosions could be heard inside the stadium as the bombers attacked, and scared fans were evacuated onto the pitch as it became clear what had happened.

Mr Hollande told France 2 television that he had returned to show that terrorists could not scare citizens into changing their lives.

Fans said they were reassured by the tight security at the game Credit: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Armed guards were on patrol outside the stadium ahead of the match, and fans were searched twice before they were allowed outside.

Despite the tense surroundings, many of those at the game said they felt safe and were pleased to see tight security in action.

"Life goes on, there's a good atmosphere," Salvatore Signorelli, an Italian national who lives in France, told Reuters.

Gerard Risacher, president of the French rugby fans associations, added: "We're not used to seeing so many riot police vans ahead of rugby games but it's reassuring."