Eiffel Tower Goes Dark in Tribute to Paris Attack Victims

France's iconic Eiffel Tower went dark late Thursday in a somber tribute to the 12 people killed in the attack on the Paris satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

The lights normally illuminating the 324-meter (1,063-foot) tall monument at night went out at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT).

The extinction of the lights happened as a demonstration expected to gather thousands was in full swing on the other side of the city, in Republique square for the second night running.

Other events will be held in the French capital over coming days to mark the outrage over Wednesday's attack on Charlie Hebdo, and to assert the right to freedom of expression -- a value France has long cherished and sought to protect. 

"Our city has been a refuge for writers, philosophers, journalists who were threatened for their ideas," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told Liberation newspaper.

"There is no place in Paris for extremist ideas of any sort."

The Eiffel Tower is one of France's top tourist attractions and the pre-eminent monument in the City of Light.