| Bastille Day military parade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Défilé du 14 juillet |
| Observed by |  France |
| Celebrations | Military parade |
| Begins | 1880 |
| Date | 14 July |
| Next time | 14 July 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Bastille Day |
.jpg)
The Bastille Day military parade, also known as the 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 Bastille Day, 14 July, each year in Paris since 1880, almost without exception. The parade passes down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées from Place Charles de Gaulle, centred around the Arc de Triomphe, to the Place de la Concorde, where the President stands, along with members of the Government, figures from the legislative branch, the Mayor of Paris, as well as foreign ambassadors to France.
It is a popular event in France, broadcast live on television; it is also one of the oldest regular military parades in the world.[1] 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 cities, most notably Marseille, Toulon, Brest, Rochefort, Belfort, and Nice.
- ^ French diplomatic mission in San Francisco www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org. The Trooping of the Colour or Queen's Birthday Parade in London has been held regularly since 1820: Archived 15 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine