Latest news with #PatrouilledeFrance
UPI
5 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
France celebrates Bastille Day with troops, tanks, aircraft, fireworks
1 of 4 | Jets from the acrobatic Patrouille de France release blue, white, and red smoke, in the color of the French flag, as they fly over the Olympic cauldron during the Bastille Day parade in Paris, on Monday, July 14. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI | License Photo July 14 (UPI) -- France on Monday celebrated Bastille Day with the nation's biggest holiday in the air and on the ground. The parade in Paris included 7,000 people on horseback and tanks, axe-carrying French Legion troops, 102 warplanes and helicopters. French President Emmanual Macron reviewed the French Army, Navy and Air Force along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysses and re-lit the eternal flame beneath the Arc de Triomphe. For the first time, there was included a prison dog, a Belgian Malinois shepherd, Gun, who specializes in weapons and ammunition detection. At night, fireworks were lit at the Eiffel Tower at an expense of $817,000. On July 14, 1789, nationals stormed the Bastille fortress and prison, which ignited the French Revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy. This year's event returned to Champs-Elsees from Avenue Foch because of the Summer Olympics. Gisele Pelicot, 72, was given France's highest award of Bastille Day celebrations. Pelicot, who has fought against sexual violence, was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor. She was drugged and raped for nearly a decade by her husband, who was sentenced to prison in 2024 along with 50 other defendants. Also, nearly 600 people were given a civic award, including musician Pharrell Williams. The guest of honor was Indonesia's President Prabowo Subitanto, who represents the world's biggest Muslim country with more than 240 million, or 87% of the total population. Indonesia had 451 soldiers march in the parade, including a drum band of 189 musicians. It marked 85 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Also, Finnish troops serving in the United Nations force in Lebanon, as well as those from Belgium and Luxembourg serving in the NATO force in Roman, participated. Another special guest was Fousseynou Samba Cisse, who rescued six people, including two babies, from a burning apartment on the sixth floor earlier this month. One day before Bastille Day, Macron announced $7.6 billion in additional military spending over two years amid new threats, including from Russia. "Since 1945, our freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously," Macron said. "We are experiencing a return to the fact of a nuclear threat, and a proliferation of major conflicts." President Donald Trump was so impressed with Bastille Day in 2017 that he decided to conduct his own military celebration in Washington, D.C., this year on June 14. France celebrates Bastille Day Jets from the Patrouille de France release blue, white and red smoke, in the colors of the French flag as they fly over the Olympic cauldron during the Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14, 2025. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI | License Photo
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Fireworks, warplanes and axes: How France celebrates Bastille Day
Jets from the acrobatic Patrouille de France fly over the Champs-Elysees avenue during the Bastille Day parade, Monday, July 14, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) PARIS — Swooping warplanes, axe-carrying warriors, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in nearly every French town — it must be Bastille Day. France celebrated its biggest holiday Monday with 7,000 people marching, on horseback or riding armoured vehicles along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees, the most iconic avenue in Paris. And there are plans for partying and pageantry around the country. Why Bastille Day is a big deal Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress and prison on July 14, 1789, a spark for the French Revolution that overthrew the monarchy. In the ensuing two centuries, France saw Napoleon's empire rise and fall, more uprisings and two world wars before settling into today's Fifth Republic, established in 1958. Bastille Day has become a central moment for modern France, celebrating democratic freedoms and national pride, a mélange of revolutionary spirit and military prowess. The Paris parade beneath the Arc de Triomphe so impressed visiting U.S. President Donald Trump in 2017 that it inspired him to stage his own parade this year. What stood out The spectacle began on the ground, with French President Emmanuel Macron reviewing the troops and relighting the eternal flame beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Two riders fell from their horses near the end of the parade, and it was unclear whether anyone was hurt. Such incidents happen occasionally at the annual event. Each parade uniform has a touch of symbolism. The contingent from the French Foreign Legion was eye-catching, its bearded troops wearing leather aprons and carrying axes, a reference to their original role as route clearers for advancing armies. The Paris event included flyovers by fighter jets, trailing red, white and blue smoke. Then the evening sees a drone light show and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower that has gotten more elaborate every year. What's special about this year Every year, France hosts a special guest for Bastille Day, and this year it's Indonesia, with President Prabowo Subianto representing the world's largest Muslim country, which is also a major Asian economic and military player. Indonesian troops, including 200 traditional drummers, marched in Monday's parade, and Indonesia is expected to confirm new purchases of Rafale fighter jets and other French military equipment during the visit. Prabowo, who was accused of rights abuses under Indonesia's prior dictatorship, will be treated to a special holiday dinner at the Elysée Palace. 'For us as Indonesian people, this is a very important and historic military and diplomatic collaboration,'' the commander of the Indonesian military delegation, Brig. Gen. Ferry Irawan, told The Associated Press. Finnish troops serving in the U.N. force in Lebanon, and Belgian and Luxembourg troops serving in a NATO force in Romania also paraded through Paris, reflecting the increasingly international nature of the event. Among the dignitaries invited to watch will be Fousseynou Samba Cissé, who rescued two babies from a burning apartment earlier this month and received a last-minute invitation in a phone call from Macron himself. ''I wasn't expecting that call,'' he told online media Brut. ''I feel pride.'' What's the geopolitical backdrop Beyond the military spectacle in Paris are growing concerns about an uncertain world. On the eve Bastille Day, Macron announced 6.5 billion euros (US $7.6 billion) in extra French military spending in the next two years because of new threats ranging from Russia to terrorism and online attacks. The French leader called for intensified efforts to protect Europe and support for Ukraine. ''Since 1945, our freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,″ Macron said. ''We are experiencing a return to the fact of a nuclear threat, and a proliferation of major conflicts.″ Security was exceptionally tight around Paris ahead of and during the parade. What else happens on Bastille Day It's a period when France bestows special awards — including the most prestigious, the Legion of Honor — on notable people. This year's recipients include Gisèle Pelicot, who became a global hero to victims of sexual violence during a four-month trial in which her husband and dozens of men were convicted of sexually assaulting her while she was drugged unconscious. Others earning the honor are Yvette Levy, a Holocaust survivor and French Resistance fighter, and musician Pharrell Williams, designer for Louis Vuitton. Bastille Day is also a time for family gatherings, firefighters' balls and rural festivals around France. Angela Charlton, The Associated Press
Mint
16-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Paris Air Show 2025 kicks off with thrilling aerial displays on day zero
Paris Air Show 2025 kicks off with thrilling aerial displays on day zero 8 Photos . Updated: 16 Jun 2025, 02:13 PM IST Share Via The Paris Air Show 2025 begins with its signature excitement and anticipated aircraft orders. Although the mood is likely to be subdued by India's deadliest recent air tragedy and rising missile tensions between Israel and Iran. 1/8An Embraer E195-E2 Profit Hunter jet is displayed at the 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, on Monday, June 16, 2025. The event runs from June 16 to 20. (Bloomberg) 2/8This image captures the Alpha Jets of the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, executing an exhibition flight during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, just outside Paris. (AFP) 3/8A French Armed Forces parachutist displays a flag reading Women in Aerospace during an exhibition flight at the 55th International Paris Air Show, held at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburbs of Paris on June 16, 2025. (AFP) 4/8An Airbus A350-1000 passenger jet is seen performing an aerial demonstration during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburbs of Paris on June 16, 2025. (AFP) 5/8Alpha Jets from the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, perform an exhibition flight during the 55th International Paris Air Show. (AFP) 6/8This photo features the CFM International RISE open rotor engine on display at the booth of the French aerospace and defence company Safran during the 55th International Paris Air Show. (AFP) 7/8This image captures the Alpha Jets of the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburb of Le Bourget. (AFP)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Imax, Federation & Imago Join Forces On Documentary ‘Patrouille De France'
Imax is embarking on its first-ever foreign language documentary, partnering with Federation Studios and Imago Production on Patrouille de France. The film will chronicle a year in the life of the aerobatics team of the French Air and Space Force, from the selection process and intense training to its signature elite aerial displays. The announcement was made today at the Cannes Film Festival where, three years ago, the troupe buzzed the Palais in a stunning tribute ahead of the Top Gun: Maverick premiere. Currently in production and set for an early 2026 release, Patrouille de France is being developed in partnership with Paris-based production giant Federation Studios and newly created indie production company Imago Production. Mathieu Giombini directs. More from Deadline Sarah Paulson, Toni Collette, Dianne Wiest & Toby Wallace Leading Cody Fern's 'Mother Courage'; Mk2 Launching At Cannes Market 'Snabba Cash' & 'Paradis City' Makers Team For Legal Thriller 'Burden Of Justice' From SVT, Strive Stories & Film i Vast; Scandi Pubcasters & DR Sales Attached Neon Taps Ryan Werner As President Of Global Cinema Distribution will be handled by Pathé exclusively in Imax across France, with select international locations to be added following its initial release. Federation Studios will handle non-theatrical distribution. Commented Imax CEO Rich Gelfond, 'Imax is synonymous with awe-inspiring experiences, and we're excited to expand our ever-growing portfolio of films and events with Patrouille de France… France continues to be one of our most exciting markets worldwide — with passionate audiences who've enjoyed everything from films to docs to concerts and sports in Imax — and Patrouille de France offers yet another new way to serve our audiences and grow our business.' Added Giombini, who also serves as Director of the Image Department at France's renowned film school La Fémis, 'Making an Imax film about the Patrouille de France means capturing excellence on a scale never seen before. It creates a total visual and sound immersion, and an unprecedented sensory experience.' Imago Production's Isabelle Dagnac said, 'We are particularly proud to produce this film, the first French documentary ever produced for Imax, which offers a unique and breathtaking opportunity to fly with the elite of the best pilots.' Best of Deadline Where To Watch All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies: Streamers With Multiple Films In The Franchise Everything We Know About 'My Life With The Walter Boys' Season 2 So Far 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far
France 24
08-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
🔴Watch live: France marks 80th anniversary of World War II's end in Europe
Alpha Jets of the French Air Force Elite aerobatic flying team "Patrouille de France" rehearse a fly-over of the Elysee presidential palace ahead of the May 8 commemorations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Paris, May 7, 2025. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Eighty years ago, on May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies. While the occasion is commemorated at the Arc de Triomphe every year, Emmanuel Macron has chosen to mark this anniversary in a bigger way, with a special evening ceremony. Read more'To the bitter end': The Dunkirk pocket of Nazi resistance The President of the Republic is set to deliver a speech at approximately 6:10pm, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a moment of silence before its eternal flame. At 7pm, the elite fighter jets of the French Air Force's Patrouille de France will perform a fly-over of the capital. Read moreGerman burials of Nazi remains stir controversy over national memory Click on the liveplayer button above to watch FRANCE 24's special coverage of the commemorative ceremony.
