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Today's Paper | December 27, 2024

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Published 14 Jul, 2016 09:38pm

France celebrates Bastille Day

Bare-chested Maori soldiers joined more than 3,000 other troops and dozens of helicopters and fighters roared overhead as France honoured Australia and New Zealand in its Bastille Day parade in Paris on Thursday.

The sight of six barefoot Maori soldiers in traditional dress with their faces painted brought an exotic touch to the annual parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue.

They were part of an 85-strong contingent from New Zealand who marched alongside 140 Australian soldiers to mark their countries' role in the World War I Battle of the Somme, a century ago.

Jets from the Patrouille de France air display team blasted overhead, flying in the shape of the Eiffel Tower to support Paris's bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games as they trailed red, white and blue smoke behind them.

A view taken from a helicopter shows three Mirage 2000N jets from the "La Fayette" Escadrille, flying over the rooftops of Paris during the annual Bastille Day military parade. -AFP

Four Mirage 2000C and one Alpha jet flight over Paris, France, on their way to participate in the Bastille Day military parade. -Reuters

Alphajet aircrafts from the French elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France (PAF) release smoke in the colours of the French national flag above the La Defense business district during the annual Bastille Day military parade. -AFP

Alphajet aircrafts from the French elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France (PAF) release smoke in the colours of the French national flag above the La Defense business district during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees. -AFP

Maori warriors from New Zealand march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. -AFP

French 16th hunter battalion attend the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees in Paris. -Reuters

Students of the special military school of Saint-Cyr march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade. -Reuters

Students of the special military school of Saint-Cyr march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. -Reuters

Pioneers of the 1st Foreign Legion regiment carry their axes as they march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. -Reuters

Students of the Ecole Polytechnique school march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade. -Reuters

French troops of the Republican Guard (Gardes Republicain) on horseback attend the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees. -Reuters

French Republicain Guards (Garde Republicaine) perform during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. -Reuters

A US Air Force KC130J refueling tanker and two French Caracal helicopters fly over the Champs Elysees during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris. -Reuters

A man takes a picture as three Rafale M fighter aircrafts fly ahead of an E2C during the annual Bastille Day military parade. -AFP

A sniper of the French 'Brigade d'Intervention' takes up his position at the top of the Arc de Triomphe during the annual Bastille Day military parade. -AFP

An aerial view taken from a helicopter shows (from front) the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Tuilieries garden and the Seine river (R) during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees. -AFP

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