PARIS — France marked its national day on Tuesday with the traditional Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Élysées, reviewed by President Emmanuel Macron before crowds gathered along the avenue. Thousands of troops, armoured vehicles and aircraft took part in the annual procession.

The parade, organised by the French armed forces, began mid-morning with a flypast by the Patrouille de France display team trailing the tricolour smoke over the Arc de Triomphe. Marching contingents from the army, navy, air force and gendarmerie followed, alongside cadets from France's military academies.

This year's edition placed particular emphasis on European defence cooperation, reflecting Macron's repeated calls for greater continental military autonomy. Allied units and units serving in overseas operations were among those featured in the line-up down the avenue.

Paris police mounted a large security operation across the capital, closing roads around the Place de la Concorde and deploying officers along the parade route and at the evening fireworks planned at the Eiffel Tower. The Interior Ministry confirmed the enhanced measures for the day's public events.

Celebrations extended beyond the capital, with firefighters' balls, town gatherings and regional displays held across France. Municipal authorities in cities including Lyon, Marseille and Nice scheduled their own fireworks and public concerts to close the holiday.