The
Bastille Day Military Parade (or 14 July Military Parade, translation of the French name of
Défilé militaire du 14 Juillet) is a
French military parade that has been held on the morning of 14 July each year in
Paris since 1880, almost without exception.
The parade passes down the
Champs-Elysées from l’
Arc de Triomphe to
Place de la Concorde where the
President of the French Republic, his government and foreign ambassadors to France stand. This is a popular event in
France, broadcast on French TV, and is the oldest regular military parade in the world. In some years, invited detachments of foreign troops take part in the parade and foreign statesmen attend as guests.
Smaller military parades are held in French garrison towns (like
Toulon or
Belfort) with local troops.