The 14th of July, a national holiday in France, commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the irreversible march toward the establishment of the French Republic. This date was however recognized as a national holiday a century later, in 1880, by the Senate. This tradition has since perpetuated itself each year and has become a veritable institution of which the military parade of the French army has not ceased to dazzle spectators world-wide.

This year the parade takes on a particular majesty since 1,000 soldiers stationed in European countries will join the French contingent.