Macron hosts final Bastille Day parade with Zelensky as guest
French President Emmanuel Macron oversaw his 10th and final Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2025, in Paris. The annual event commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended as a high-profile guest, reflecting ongoing solidarity amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The parade featured joint formations with Ukrainian troops and allied forces, as well as joint flights. A minute's silence was observed for victims of the 2015 Nice jihadist attacks. The celebration occurred during a heatwave, with tens of thousands expected despite a forest fire near Paris and fireworks bans in many regions.
Key facts
- Macron oversaw his 10th and final Bastille Day parade as president on July 14, 2025.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended as a high-profile guest.
- The parade included joint formations with Ukrainian troops and allied forces.
- Joint flights with allied co-pilots were featured.
- A minute's silence was held for victims of the 2015 Nice jihadist attacks.
- The event took place during a scorching heatwave with a forest fire near Paris.
- Fireworks were banned in many parts of France due to the heatwave.
- The parade marks the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.
Entities
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Nice
- Ukraine
- Russia