14 Julliet, Bastille Day 2020; Evreux, July 14, 2020

The Annual Parade in Paris; Text, Videos & Photograph's by Alex van Noye

The French national holiday La Fete Nationale is abroad also known as Bastille Day. The day is annually celebrated in France on July 14. The storming of the Bastille in Paris is commemorated on this day on which the French Revolution started. A large military parade is traditionally annually held since July 14, 1789. This parade on the Champs Elysees in Paris is the oldest military parade in the world which is held annually since 1880. The parade runs along the Champ Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde where the stand for the officials is located. The parade is a popular event in France and it is therefore each year entirely broadcast-ed on the French television. During the parade in Paris a large formation of all French aircraft and helicopters will fly over the Champ Elysees in the center of the city. A part of these aircraft (mainly the fighters and some transports) are launched from BA105 Evreux. In this video the startup sequence of a line of seven Rafale C and three Mirage 2000B are shown. Aircraft are inspected by the crew chief and the pilot before the startup will take place. In the video you can hear the characteristic sound of the Rafale engine startup.