France is marking its national 14 July holiday with the traditional military parade, but with the Olympic Games just two weeks away, it's a rerouted and slightly reduced affair. This year's special guest is not a country, but the Olympic flame.
With the Paris Games round the corner, the national day parade changed its traditional route on the Champs Elysees, and a smaller military contingent marched on the nearby Avenue Foch – one of the most prestigious streets in Paris.
This year's parade paid tribute to those who freed France from Nazi occupation 80 years ago, with a re-enactment of the D-Day landings of 6 June, 1944, and a presentation by service members from the 31 countries whose troops contributed to the liberation.
About half are African nations that were under French colonial rule during World War II.
Overall, 4,000 foot soldiers and 162 horses marched down Avenue Foch in a tightly choreographed show, while 45 aeroplanes and 22 helicopters soared overhead
However, no tank or armoured vehicle took part in this year’s event.
Olympic flame
The parade's final section also honoured the Olympic spirit, ahead of the Paris Games (26 July - 11 August), followed by the Paralympics (28 August - 8 September).
The flame was escorted by riders on horseback , 25 torchbearers, and cadets forming the shapes of the Olympic rings.
Colonel Thibault Vallette of the elite Cadre Noir de Saumur cavalry school and 2016 equestrian gold medallist in Rio was the main torchbearer.
Relay runners are then to carry the flame around the capital, beginning with Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Sorbonne university and the Louvre Museum, before heading to other Paris landmarks on Monday.
France's 14 July military parade – known as Bastille Day – marks the day in 1789 when revolutionaries stormed the Bastille fortress and prison in Paris, heralding the start of the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy.
People around France celebrate with concerts, parties and fireworks.
The annual fireworks show will be held on Sunday evening in Paris, but due to Olympic venue construction around the Eiffel Tower, spectators won't be allowed to gather beneath the monument to watch as usual.
Government in limbo
Sunday's event offers President Emmanuel Macron a moment of distraction from the political turmoil he unleashed by calling snap elections that have ushered in a hung parliament – weakening his pro-business centrist party and his presidency.
The 577-member National Assembly, due to convene on 18 July, is in deadlock with no one clearly in charge.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has stayed on as caretaker head of government "to ensure stability" and is now head of Macron's reduced Renaissance party in parliament.
Attal is expected to leave office within days, while the left-wing New Popular Front alliance (NFP) that won the most seats is struggling to agree on a proposed replacement.
Meanwhile, Russia’s war in Ukraine is threatening Europe’s security.
At a meeting with military leaders Saturday, Macron said France will keep up support for Ukraine and called for higher defence spending next year because of ‘’approaching threats".
(with newswires)
