Vive la France! Bastille Day Celebrated with Grand Paris Parade and Global Flair
France erupted in patriotic fervor today, celebrating Bastille Day – its most cherished national holiday – with a spectacular military parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées. The annual display of national pride and military might drew thousands, marking the pivotal 1789 storming of the Bastille that ignited the French Revolution.
More than 7,000 service members, 102 aircraft, and 200 horses of the Republican Guard showcased their precision and power in one of Europe's largest and oldest military processions. The 2025 parade highlighted themes of "strategic solidarity" and "youth engagement," underscoring France's contemporary vision.
President Emmanuel Macron presided over the elaborate ceremonies, which began with a review of troops and the relighting of the eternal flame at the Arc de Triomphe. The skies above Paris roared with the thunder of fighter jets painting the sky in the French tricolor, while ground forces marched with historic pageantry, including the distinctive, axe-carrying French Foreign Legion.
This year's celebration took on an international flavor with Indonesia featured as a special guest, contributing a sizable contingent of 451 soldiers and a vibrant 189-member drum band. Troops from Finland, Belgium, and Luxembourg also joined the march, reflecting deepening international partnerships.
As dusk falls, Paris anticipates a dazzling drone light show and fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower, while cities and towns across France will host concerts, public dances, and popular "Bals des Pompiers" (Firemen's Balls), embodying the spirit of "liberty, equality, and fraternity." Bastille Day remains a powerful testament to France's revolutionary history and its enduring commitment to democratic values.
