On 14 July 2023, the famous and magnificent military parade returns to the Champs Élysées avenue. The public will also be back on the iconic Parisian thoroughfare to enjoy this not-to-be-missed event in the French National Day festivities programme.
In 2023, Moral forces is the theme of the two-hour military parade. According to General Christophe Abad, Military Governor of Paris, this themeis embraced by all generations, and in particular by young people in the armed forces, both operational and reservist. From 10am to midday, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and sky above Paris welcome more than 6,000 on foot, 70 aircraft, 20 helicopters, 200 vehicles and 200 horses of the Republican Guard.
A few details about the programme:
- This year, the parade also honours India, with the presence of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. This visit takes place against the backdrop of the 25th anniversary of this special partnership with a country that is now the most populous in the world, with 1.428 billion inhabitants.
- The French Army includes the Serval light armoured vehicle in its parade, as well as Caesar cannons and AMX10-RC armoured vehicles to represent French military aid to Ukraine. General Christophe Abad points out that one of the aims of the 2023 event is to "remind us of our attachment to strategic solidarity with our allies"..
- The flypast features several fighter jets from other nations, including an Indian Rafale, a British Typhoon and a Belgian F-16. It traditionally opens with a flypast by the Patrouille de France, which celebrates its 70th anniversary, at around 10.30am.
- The parade ends with a performance on the Place de la Concorde by young reservists, honouring the construction of the Conseil national de la Résistance in 1943, and paying tribute to the death of Jean Moulin and the creation of the "Chant des partisans".
- it is advised to arrive very early
- Terraces on the Champs-Élysées will be closed from 8am to 2pm
Line 1 : Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau, Concorde and Tuileries
Line 2 : Charles de Gaulle-Étoile
Line 6 : Charles de Gaulle-Étoile
Line 8 : Concorde
Line 9 : Franklin D. Roosevelt
Line 12 : Concorde
Line 13 : Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau
RER A : Charles de Gaulle-Étoile
Alongside the parade on the Champs-Élysées, the French will have the opportunity to meet the soldiers in various places in Paris: on the esplanade des Invalides, at the Hôtel de Ville, in the André Citroën Park, at the town hall of the 19th arrondissement and on the Place de la Nation. The programme for the day includes an exhibition of military vehicles, demonstrations, musical and sporting events, flight simulators, etc.