Bastille Day military parade facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Bastille Day military parade
The parade on the Champs-Élysées
Official name	Défilé du 14 juillet
Observed by	France
Celebrations	Military parade
Begins	1880
Date	14 July
Next time	14 July 2025 (2025-07-14)
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Bastille Day

The Bastille Day military parade, also known as the 14 July military parade, is a big French military parade. It happens every year on the morning of July 14 in Paris. This tradition started in 1880 and has continued almost every year since then.

The parade marches down the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It starts near the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde. Here, the President watches the parade with important people like government members, lawmakers, the Mayor of Paris, and foreign ambassadors.

This parade is a very popular event in France. It's shown live on TV and is one of the oldest regular military parades in the world. Sometimes, soldiers from other countries are invited to join the parade, and foreign leaders come as special guests. Smaller parades also happen in other French cities like Marseille and Nice.

How the Parade Works
History of the Parade
- Early Years and World Wars
- Modern Parade Changes
What You See in the Parade
Images for kids
See also

How the Parade Works

Soldiers from the French Foreign Legion

When the President of France arrives, he is greeted by the parade commander. Then, he inspects the troops lined up on the Champs-Élysées. He rides in a special vehicle, escorted by the Republican Guard's cavalry (soldiers on horseback). After inspecting the troops, he walks to the stage at the Place de la Concorde to meet other important guests.

The parade often begins with military bands from the French Armed Forces. They perform music and drill shows. Sometimes, foreign military bands or choirs also join in, singing French patriotic songs. This opening part always ends with La Marseillaise, which is France's national anthem.

The 1st infantry regiment of the Republican Guard

The parade itself starts with students from military schools. These include the École Polytechnique, Saint-Cyr, and the École Navale. These schools are very important for training future officers.

High above, the Patrouille de France (France's air force display team) leads a fly-past. This is when planes from the French Air Force and Naval Aviation fly over the parade route.

It's now common to invite military units from France's close allies to join the parade. For example, in 2004, British troops led the parade to celebrate 100 years of friendship between France and the UK. In 2007, detachments from all countries in the European Union marched, and the European anthem was played.

After the military students, foot soldiers march past. These include army infantry, marines, air force personnel, and the National Gendarmerie (a police force with military status), including the Republican Guard. Sometimes, police and fire units also join. The French Foreign Legion always marches at the very end of this section. They have a slower marching pace than other French units.

Next come the vehicles, like tanks and armored cars. The parade traditionally finishes with the popular Paris Fire Brigade, which is actually a military unit. At the same time, more planes and helicopters fly overhead. The parade often ends with a parachute display by skilled parachutists.

History of the Parade

Early Years and World Wars

Bastille Day became a national holiday in France on June 28, 1880. A military parade was added to the celebrations on July 6 of the same year. From 1880 to 1914, the parades were held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.

After World War I, the parade moved to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The first parade there was a "Victory parade" on July 14, 1919. This parade included soldiers from all of France's allies in World War I. Troops from France's overseas empire, like Algerian cavalry, also took part until 1962.

During World War II, when German troops occupied Paris, they also paraded on the Champs-Élysées. After Paris was freed in 1945, a victory parade was held with General de Gaulle. Even during the occupation, a small group of Free French Forces continued the parade tradition in London.

Modern Parade Changes

In 1971, women soldiers marched in the parade for the first time.

For a few years in the 1970s, the parade route changed each year. This was to remember different parts of the French Revolution. However, since the 1980s, the parade has always returned to the Champs-Élysées.

The 1989 parade was one of the biggest, celebrating 200 years since the French Revolution began. In 1994, German soldiers marched in the parade. This was a very important moment, showing friendship between France and Germany and European unity.

In 2002, students from the United States Military Academy and firefighters from New York City (FDNY) marched. In 2004, British troops paraded again. In 2005, Brazilian units opened the parade, and their air force display team flew overhead. In 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy invited units from all 26 other EU member states to join.

In 2008, a United Nations battalion led the parade. In 2009, Indian troops marched, and the Prime Minister of India was the guest of honor. In 2010, troops from several former French African colonies led the parade to celebrate 50 years of their independence.

The 2011 parade celebrated France's overseas territories and 200 years of the French firefighting service. In 2012, units from Afghanistan and several NATO countries participated.

In 2013, troops from Mali and Croatia (the newest EU member at the time) marched. The national anthem was performed by a large band and chorus, honoring a special French award called the National Order of Merit.

To mark 100 years since the start of World War I in 2014, soldiers in old French uniforms led the parade. They were followed by flag bearers from 69 other countries that fought in the war. The parade ended with a beautiful dance performance by 250 young dancers from 80 countries, releasing doves as a symbol of peace.

The Bastille Day 2016 military parade in Paris

The 2015 parade was smaller due to French forces being deployed around the world. It celebrated 70 years since the end of World War II and showed France's commitment to fighting terrorism. Special police and gendarmerie units, who had been involved in recent events, made their first appearance. Students from Mexican military academies also joined.

The Bastille Day 2017 military parade in Paris

The 2016 parade had many more participants. It included personnel from the French Prisons Service. The `Patrouille de France` flew in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and a children's choir sang the national anthem. Troops from Australia and New Zealand also marched, and US Air Force planes joined the fly-past.

In 2017, US President Donald Trump attended as a guest, marking 100 years since the United States joined World War I. The parade had about 6,500 people marching, and US Armed Forces delegations also took part. President Emmanuel Macron gave his holiday speech from the grandstand before the parade.

The 2018 parade celebrated 100 years since the end of World War I. It had over 7,500 troops and 480 vehicles. Guests included the Prime Minister of Singapore and the Japanese foreign minister. Air force jets from Singapore also took part in the fly-past for the first time.

The 2019 parade marked many anniversaries, including 230 years of the French Revolution and 75 years since D-Day. Leaders from over 20 countries attended. A special moment was when Franky Zapata flew his turbine-powered Flyboard Air hoverboard during the pre-parade show.

The 2020 parade was smaller due to the coronavirus pandemic. It took place in the grounds of the Place de la Concorde, without the usual mobile column. It honored military, police, and medical workers who helped during the pandemic. Two British Royal Air Force planes joined the fly-past.

In 2021, the parade returned to the Champs-Élysées. For the first time, officer cadets from NATO countries joined the French military academies. A special battalion of the Defense Health Service marched to honor their fight against the pandemic.

In 2023, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was the Guest of Honor. A 269-member group from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force marched alongside French soldiers. This celebrated 25 years of partnership between France and India.

What You See in the Parade

The Bastille Day parade is the biggest regular military parade in Western Europe. It usually includes around 9,500 soldiers, 380 vehicles, 240 horses, and over 80 planes and helicopters.

Soldiers Marching

Soldiers march in different groups:

Students from various military academies (like for engineers, officers, and medical staff).
Infantry units from the Army, Marines, and Air Force.
Different parts of the National Gendarmerie, including the famous Republican Guard.
Specialized army units like paratroopers, mountain troops, artillery, and engineers.
Navy units like naval fusiliers and submarine forces.
Air Force units and the French Space Command.
Health and fuel services for the military.
The National Guard.
National Police officers and staff.
Firefighting services, including the Paris Fire Brigade.
French Prisons Service and Customs.
The French Foreign Legion, including their pioneers and music band, always march last.

Vehicles and Equipment

The mobile column features many different vehicles:

Motorcycles from the National Gendarmerie and National Police.
Command vehicles.
Armored vehicles like Leclerc tanks, AMX 10 RC tank destroyers, and VAB armored support vehicles.
Artillery vehicles and missile launchers.
Engineering vehicles like armored bulldozers and mobile bridges.
Vehicles from the Paris Fire Brigade and Civil Security.

Horses and Cavalry

The mounted column is led by the Mounted Fanfare Band and the Cavalry Regiment of the French Republican Guard. They are famous for their horses and uniforms.

Planes and Helicopters

The aerial fly-past includes:

The Patrouille de France (the national aerobatic team).
Planes and helicopters from the French Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Aircraft from the Interior Ministry's Civil Security Air Service.

Images for kids

Cadets of the École polytechnique
National Gendarmerie's officer cadets
Saint-Cyr cadets
Cadets of the Military Interarms School
Cadets of the École Navale
Cadets of the École de l'air
Cadets of the National Active Non-Commissioned Officers School
Infantry of the Republican Guard
1st Regiment of Spahis
126th Line Infantry
21st Regiment of Marine infantry
511th Transport Regiment
Regimental flag of the 1st Marine Fusiliers
National Police Superior Officers School trainees
Flag of the French National Police and the Security Service of the Ministry of the Interior (SSMI)
Flag guard of the French Firefighting Academy
The Paris Fire Brigade
The French Foreign Legion is always last to parade because of its slower marching pace
The cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard opening the motorised parade (formerly cavalry parade)
The red-crested musicians of the Republican Guard cavalry
The motorbikes of the French Republican Guard open the motorised parade
Leclerc main battle tank
AMX 10 RC tank destroyer
ERC 90 Sagaie light tank
VAB armoured support vehicle
AMX-10P, infantry fighting vehicle
VBL Armoured light vehicle
ACMAT troop transport
Crotale missile launchers
GCT 155mm self-propelled artillery vehicle
Armored bulldozer of the Génie
EFA mobile bridge
The Paris Fire Brigade closing the motorised parade
The Patrouille de France's Alphajets
Four Super Étendards
A Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS) followed by five Mirages 2000
C-160 Transall
Eurocopter EC725
Fusiliers-marins from Toulon naval base parading in Toulon.
PVP of the 3rd regiment engineers, 1st Mechanised Brigade in Charleville-Mézières
French Air Force riflemen in Rochefort.
1st Tirailleurs of Épinal regiment displaying late 19th century uniforms for Bastille Day in Strasbourg.
Cynotechnical unit of the Marseille Naval Fire Battalion during the military parade of 14 July 2012 in Marseille, with a decorated dog.
Russian and Mexican sailors during the military parade of 14 July 2012 in Brest.
7th Battalion of the Chasseurs Alpins during Bastille Day parade in Lyon.
Band of the Brazilian Marines, guest participants in 2005
In 2007, one regiment from each European member-state paraded on the Champs-Élysées (here, the 30th regiment of the Romanian National Guard)
The National Guards Unit of the Bulgarian Army in 2007
The Portuguese Marines in white dress uniform in 2007
In 2008, a multinational United Nations battalion opened the parade
The Indian Air Force contingent, led by the India's oldest regiment, the Maratha Light Infantry, guest participants in 2009.
Croatian Honor Guard Battalion guest participants in 2013.
In 2013, Malian troops opened the parade following French involvement in the Malian civil war
In 2017, US President Donald Trump attended the Bastille Day parade in Paris at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron