|
Event Information:
The
Bastille Day Military Parade (or 14
July Military Parade, translation of
the French name of Défilé militaire
du 14 juillet) is a French military
parade that has been held on the
morning of 14 July each year in
Paris since 1880, almost without
exception. The parade passes down
the Champs-Elysées from l’Arc de
Triomphe to Place de la Concorde
where the President of the French
Republic, his government and foreign
ambassadors to France stand. This is
a popular event in France, broadcast
on French TV, and is the oldest and
largest regular military parade in
the world. In some years, invited
detachments of foreign troops take
part in the parade and foreign
statesmen attend as guests.
The
parade opens with cadets from the
École Polytechnique, Saint-Cyr,
École Navale, and so forth, then
other infantry troops, then
motorized troops; aircraft of the
Patrouille de France aerobatics team
fly above. In recent times, it has
become customary to invite units
from France's allies to the parade;
in 2004 during the centenary of the
Entente Cordiale, British troops
(the band of the Royal Marines, the
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment,
Grenadier Guardsand King's Troop,
Royal Horse Artillery) led the
Bastille Day parade in Paris for the
first time, with the Red Arrows
flying overhead.[3] In 2007 the
German 26th Airborne Brigade led the
march followed by British Royal
Marines.
The
president used to give an interview
to members of the press, discussing
the situation of the country, recent
events and projects for the future.
Nicolas Sarkozy, elected president
in 2007, has chosen not to give it.
The President also holds a garden
party at the Palais de l'Elysée. The
avenue runs for 2 kilometers (1.25
miles) through the 8th
arrondissement in northwestern
Paris, from the Place de la Concorde
in the east, with the Obelisk of
Luxor, to the Place Charles de
Gaulle (formerly the Place de
l'Étoile) in the west, location of
the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs-Élysées
forms part of the Axe historique.
One of
the principal tourist destinations
in Paris, the lower part of the
Champs-Élysées is bordered by
greenery (Carré Marigny) and by
buildings such as the Théâtre
Marigny and the Grand Palais
(containing the Palais de la
Découverte). The Élysée Palace is
slightly to the north, but not on
the avenue itself. Further to the
west, the avenue is lined with
cinemas, cafés and restaurants, and
luxury specialty shops. The Champs-Élysées
ends at the Arc de Triomphe, built
by Napoleon Bonaparte to honour his
victories.
Local
Weather:
|
