Emmanuel Macron has presided over his final Bastille Day parade in Paris, as a severe heatwave and wildfires forced authorities across the country to cancel traditional fireworks displays and balls celebrating France’s national day.
The French president was joined for the annual military procession and flypast by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and about two dozen other national leaders.
On Monday night, Macron said it was a great honour to welcome to the parade “all the partners in the coalition of the willing and our Ukrainian friends, who will march with us and show our strategic reawakening and our unity”.
The parade, which marks the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789, followed a meeting in Paris on Monday of the western allies supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. Around 500 soldiers from those countries marched alongside French troops.
In a break from tradition, foreign fighters—including British troops for the first time in about 20 years—marched in combat fatigues and dress uniforms, carrying their national flags. Usually, only one foreign country is invited to take part.
Aircraft from Germany, the UK, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Spain, and Italy took part in the flypast.
Twenty-five Ukrainian soldiers also marched down the Champs-Élysées, and Ukrainian co-pilots flew French Mirage jets. A French official said this was “a strong signal that Europe is waking up to how dangerous the world has become”.
The parade—France’s largest ever, with nearly 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters, and 315 vehicles—was also meant to show “France’s rearmament, France’s strategic autonomy, and Europe’s strategic awakening”, the official added.
France’s deputy defence minister, Alice Rufo, said the procession showed “a Europe united and determined to support Ukraine in the face of Russia, a Europe that is confident in itself”.
However, many local authorities cancelled Bastille Day fireworks because of concerns about the high risk of more forest fires, as France experiences its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures in the high 30s across much of the country.
Around 850 firefighters and four water-bombing planes using water from the Seine continued to battle two wildfires in the Fontainebleau forest, a former royal hunting ground popular with hikers and climbers about 40 miles (60km) south-east of Paris.
The fires, which started on Sunday and Monday, had burned about 2,050 hectares—around 10% of the forest—by midday on Tuesday, authorities said. They added that firefighters hoped to bring the blazes under control during the day.
The fires have forced about 1,000 people in and around Fontainebleau to leave their homes. Authorities are investigating whether the fires were set deliberately and have arrested two people, including an 18-year-old man, on suspicion of arson.
France’s interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, said 32,000 hectares across France have been burned so far this year, more than during the entire 2025 fire season, with traditionally cooler regions like Brittany also affected.
In some places, including Paris, the traditional Bastille Day firefighters’ balls have been cancelled to prevent heat exhaustion and reduce pressure on emergency services.
Human-caused climate breakdown is making extreme weather worse around the world, driving more frequent and intense heatwaves and wildfires.More frequent and deadly disasters, like heatwaves and wildfires, are becoming common.
Bastille Day also marked the 10th anniversary of a terror attack in Nice, where a truck was driven into a crowd, killing 86 people and injuring over 400. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Macron has said that the French football team’s World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas, Texas—expected to be watched by millions of TV viewers in France on Tuesday evening—will be preceded by a minute’s silence for the victims of the Nice attack.
The Eiffel Tower firework display, a traditional part of Bastille Day celebrations, was held on Monday out of respect for the victims of the Nice attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the subdued Bastille Day celebrations in France due to wildfire concerns
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is Bastille Day
Bastille Day is Frances national holiday similar to Independence Day in the US It celebrates the start of the French Revolution with military parades fireworks and parties
2 Why were the celebrations subdued this year
The celebrations were scaled back because of extreme heat drought and a very high risk of new wildfires sparking Officials were worried that fireworks and large crowds could accidentally start fires
3 Did they cancel everything
No not everything The main military parade in Paris went ahead but many smaller towns and cities cancelled their fireworks displays and evening parties to reduce fire risk
4 How do fireworks cause wildfires
Firework sparks can land in dry grass bushes or forests In hot dry weather these sparks can easily ignite a fastspreading wildfire
5 Is this a common problem for Bastille Day
Its becoming more common In recent years several regions in southern France have cancelled or modified fireworks due to drought and heatwaves
AdvancedLevel Questions
6 Which specific regions were most affected by the restrictions
The southern regions were most affected especially around the Mediterranean coast Corsica and parts of the Rhne Valley These areas were under red alert for fire danger
7 What alternatives did local governments offer to fireworks
Many towns replaced fireworks with quieter safer alternatives like drone light shows laser displays or outdoor concerts and film screenings Some simply held daytime community picnics or parades
8 How do authorities decide whether to cancel fireworks
Local prefects use a combination of weather forecasts drought levels and satellite data on dry vegetation They also consult with fire services before issuing a ban
9 What were the specific firefighting precautions taken during the parade in Paris
While Paris itself has a lower wildfire risk the city deployed extra water trucks and fire engines along the parade route Firefighters were also stationed on rooftops to watch for any stray sparks
10 What practical tips do officials give to residents during a firerisk Bastille Day
Officials advise people
