The atmosphere of France’s National Day is felt as soon as summer vacation begins. The Champs-Élysées are draped in a sea of flags, preparing for the grand annual military parade ceremony. This year (2006), the National Day seemed to arrive earlier than usual due to the World Cup finals on July 9. When the French team reached the final, the nation was swept up in a frenzy of joy akin to a nationwide celebration. These two auspicious occasions brushed past each other; the Gallic people’s rising national pride and morale cooled down as their beautiful dreams of France were shattered. Parisians quickly cast all political and social matters to the winds and rushed to various vacation spots, which is sacred to the French.
July 14 is France’s National Day. As the second wave of summer vacations peaks, those without leave enjoy a three-day weekend. Parisians hardly care about the National Day because nothing is more sacred than a holiday. It is only in mid-July that people truly feel the emptiness of Paris, as the sparse, pale Parisians disappear, replaced by waves of pilgrims from around the world crowding tourist sites and museums. Thus, the National Day military parade on the Champs-Élysées becomes an extraordinary sight for Paris tourism, attracting thousands of global pilgrims annually. The grand ceremony turns into a leisurely military carnival that tourists rarely miss.
The military band plays the stirring "Marseillaise," with some in the crowd excitedly singing along. From afar, the heroic cavalry of the Republican Guard leads the procession down from the Arc de Triomphe, escorting President Chirac to the viewing stand at Place de la Concorde to open the parade. They are followed by Alpine special forces soldiers in neat white ski gear. Next come officers from famous French military academies, marching in disciplined ranks like machines. Heroic and spectacular units of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps pass by one after another, displaying their magnificent presence. Finally, the Paris Fire Brigade marches in perfect formation.
Then come heavy motorcycle units of special police, light machine gun jeep combat units, amphibious tank special forces, and light and heavy tank units, passing by with thunderous power. Logistics units follow, and finally, the Paris Fire Brigade’s series of fire trucks pass by dramatically. A squadron of Mirage fighter jets flies low from La Défense, passing over the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, spraying blue, white, and red smoke in the colors of the French flag. Series of French Mirage fighters, large aerial refueling tankers, and transport planes fly overhead, creating a spectacular climax to the National Day parade, ending perfectly amidst the cheers of the audience.
Every National Day is a moment for France to display its super-strong military equipment (is it a military carnival for tourists or an arms exhibition?). Is this annual demonstration conveying a message of peace to the world, or does it hold another meaning?
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