The skies above Paris were filled with the thunderous roar of fighter jets on Sunday, as the city celebrated Bastille Day and welcomed the arrival of the Olympic flame just 12 days before the Games begin. This year’s festivities had a new twist, with athletes and Olympic volunteers joining soldiers, medics, and police officers in the parade.
Due to construction at the traditional endpoint of Place de la Concorde, the parade route had to be shifted to the lesser-known Avenue Foch near the Arc de Triomphe. Despite limitations on spectators, the air show continued, with jets painting the sky with blue, white, and red smoke in honor of the French flag.
While the display of tanks and planes usually takes center stage at the parade, this year the spotlight was on the Olympic flame. Equestrian gold medalist Col. Thibaut Vallette rode down the avenue carrying the torch, marking the 80th anniversary of France’s liberation from the Nazis.
After the parade, the Olympic torch continued its journey through Paris, attracting onlookers like Marie Niro, who saw it pass near the National Assembly. “It’s a moment that unites us,” she said.
The mix of the military parade and the Olympic flame was “atypical,” acknowledged Niro, but she emphasized the importance of preserving traditions.
As the torch makes its rounds in the coming days, anticipation is building for the Opening Ceremonies on July 26. The festivities on Bastille Day mark the beginning of the French Revolution, and the Paris celebrations are a highlight each year.
President Emmanuel Macron and his cabinet attended Sunday’s festivities, following a week of political uncertainty after legislative elections. Macron faces challenges ahead, but has maintained a sense of stability amid the tension.
Security concerns loom over the upcoming Olympics, with threats of cyberattacks and heightened tensions internationally. French authorities have been vigilant, screening over 770,000 individuals so far to ensure a safe and successful event.
As France prepares for the Games and reflects on its history, the celebrations on Bastille Day serve as a reminder of the country’s resilience and unity in the face of challenges.
