On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron presided over his tenth and final Bastille Day parade as head of state, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his side. The annual military procession along the Champs-Élysées in Paris carried particular weight this year, as it featured troops from European allies and Ukrainian soldiers in a deliberate display of unity against Russia's full-scale invasion.
The parade, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress on 14 July 1789, began at around 10:00 am with 500 soldiers from the Coalition of the Willing — a group of nations led by France and the United Kingdom that is prepared to deploy a European-led multinational force on the ground in Ukraine after any ceasefire is agreed. Some 25 Ukrainian soldiers followed, a day after coalition leaders met in Paris.
Macron, in a traditional speech to the armed forces on Monday, framed the day's symbolism in stark terms. "The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal," he said. "Yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them. Always, and at the cost of blood if necessary."
A member of his office described the parade as "a powerful symbol of a Europe that is becoming aware of how dangerous the world is and that it must take its destiny into its own hands."
Heatwave and Wildfire Cast Shadow
Tens of thousands of spectators gathered in central Paris despite a scorching heatwave that has seen a forest blaze rage in the Fontainebleau forest south of the capital. Fireworks have been banned in many parts of the country due to the fire risk. The Fontainebleau forest fire has forced evacuations and mobilised hundreds of firefighters, adding a somber note to the festivities.
The parade also included an airshow and military hardware displays, with this year's edition featuring co-pilots from Ukraine's allies. The event comes as Russia's war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, with Kyiv continuing to press for more Western support. In recent days, Ukraine has struck over 100 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, isolating Crimea, while the EU has opened a sixth accession cluster for Ukraine, ending a deadlock linked to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Anniversary of Nice Attack
Later in the evening, Macron announced a minute's silence would be observed before the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, in memory of the victims of the jihadist attack in Nice ten years ago. On 14 July 2016, a truck driver ploughed into crowds leaving a Bastille Day fireworks display in the southern city, killing 86 people and wounding more than 400. The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacker, a 31-year-old Tunisian man named Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, who was shot dead by police at the scene.
The attack followed the deadliest peacetime assaults in France's history, the 13 November 2015 attacks in and around Paris, which killed 130 people.
Macron's Final Bastille Day
This year's parade is Macron's last as president before he steps down next year after serving two consecutive terms — the maximum allowed under the Cinquième République. The far right, led by Marine Le Pen, is hoping for its best chance at seizing power in elections scheduled for April 2027. Le Pen is pressing ahead with her fourth presidential bid despite an embezzlement conviction.
Macron first used the Bastille Day parade in 2017 to impress his guest of honour, then-US President Donald Trump during his first term. Now, as he prepares to leave office, the focus has shifted to European defence and solidarity with Ukraine.
The day also held sporting significance: France faced Spain in the World Cup semi-finals at 9:00 pm. The French team won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, where they lost to Argentina.
