France marked its national holiday with a grand spectacle on Monday, July 14, 2025, as Bastille Day celebrations unfolded across Paris and the country. The event commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a pivotal moment that ignited the French Revolution and led to the fall of the monarchy. This year’s festivities were notable for their scale, international participation, and a blend of tradition with cutting-edge technology.
On the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue, 7,000 participants marched, including troops on horseback, armored vehicles, and the famed axe-carrying soldiers of the French Foreign Legion, whose leather aprons and axes hark back to their historical role as route clearers for advancing armies. The parade also featured cadets from the elite Polytechnique engineering school, Finnish troops serving in the United Nations force in Lebanon, and Belgian and Luxembourg soldiers from a NATO force in Romania, highlighting the increasingly international character of the event.
President Emmanuel Macron took center stage, reviewing the Army, Navy, and Air Force as he rode down the Champs-Elysees alongside Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces Thierry Burkhard. The ceremony included the relighting of the eternal flame beneath the Arc de Triomphe, a solemn reminder of France’s enduring values and sacrifices. For the first time, a Belgian Malinois shepherd named Gun, trained in weapons and ammunition detection, participated in the parade, adding a modern touch to the historic military procession.
The guest of honor this year was Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation with over 240 million people, represented by President Prabowo Subianto. Indonesian troops, including 451 soldiers and a drum band of 189 musicians, took part in the parade, marking 85 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The visit is expected to solidify defense relations, with anticipated agreements for Indonesia to purchase French military equipment, including Rafale fighter jets. Brigadier General Ferry Irawan, commander of the Indonesian military delegation, called the collaboration “very important and historic.”
President Macron personally welcomed President Subianto during the parade and hosted a special Bastille Day dinner at the Élysée Palace, underscoring the significance of the partnership. The presence of Indonesian traditional drummers added cultural richness to the military display, blending ceremony with diplomacy.
The parade was not without incident; two riders fell from their horses near the end of the procession, though the extent of any injuries was not immediately clear. Such occurrences, while rare, are part of the unpredictable nature of live equestrian events.
The air show was a highlight, with 102 warplanes and helicopters soaring overhead, trailing red, white, and blue smoke in a dazzling display of national pride. The acrobatic jets of the Patrouille de France performed their signature maneuvers above the Champs-Elysees, thrilling spectators below.
As evening fell, the celebrations shifted to the Champ de Mars, where thousands gathered around the Eiffel Tower for a spectacular fireworks display costing approximately $817,000. For the first time, 1,000 drones animated the sky above the Champ de Mars and the nearby Trocadéro, forming shapes and messages including the French national motto: “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.” The drone show, combined with 120 firing points—80 of which were positioned on the Eiffel Tower itself—created a breathtaking visual experience that blended tradition with innovation.
Security was exceptionally tight throughout Paris, reflecting the tense global climate. On the eve of Bastille Day, Macron announced an additional 6.5 billion euros (equivalent to $7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years. This move aims to address growing threats from Russia, terrorism, and cyberattacks. Macron warned, “Since 1945, our freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously. We are experiencing a return to the fact of a nuclear threat, and a proliferation of major conflicts.”
Beyond the military spectacle, Bastille Day also recognized individuals who embody the nation’s values. Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old survivor of prolonged sexual violence who fought courageously for justice, was honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honor. Pelicot’s case, involving the conviction of her husband and dozens of others in 2024, made her a global symbol for victims of sexual violence. Other recipients included Holocaust survivor and French Resistance fighter Yvette Levy, and musician Pharrell Williams, honored for his design work with Louis Vuitton.
Another poignant moment was the invitation extended to Fousseynou Samba Cissé, a hero who rescued two babies and several others from a burning apartment in early July. Macron personally called him to attend the Bastille Day events, and Cissé expressed pride and surprise at the invitation.
The 2025 Bastille Day celebrations also marked a return to the Champs-Elysees for the parade route, after being held on Avenue Foch due to the Summer Olympics. The event’s grandeur and symbolism continue to inspire, even influencing international leaders: former U.S. President Donald Trump, impressed by the 2017 parade, staged a similar military celebration in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
As fireworks faded into the Parisian night sky and the drone lights dimmed, the spirit of Bastille Day remained alive—a testament to France’s revolutionary heritage, its commitment to liberty, and its readiness to face new challenges. The blend of history, military might, cultural diplomacy, and technological innovation showcased a nation both proud of its past and vigilant about its future.
