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Paris: Military Parade and Ceremony

We spent 10 days in Paris and saw two impressive French military ceremonies. The first occurred at the Arc de Triomphe where each evening the French military pay homage to their Unknown Soldiers. Wreaths are laid under the Arch and patriotic music is played. It is a very moving ceremony with many French Veterans participating. A second event was a parade up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc. It was to celebrate the end of World War II in Europe and is called Victoire 1945. We saw the French President go by in his motorcade and also greeting dignitaries at the Arc. The horseback mounted Guard Chasseurs were especially impressive in their striking uniforms and beautiful horses.
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French Veteran at ceremony for French Unknown Soldiers.
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French Veteran at ceremony for French Unknown Soldiers.

  • A daily ceremony at the Arc de Tromphe to honor French Unknown Soldiers.
  • French Veteran at ceremony for French Unknown Soldiers.
  • An ethnic group brought a bouquet of flowers to honor the Unknown Soldiers.
  • The band that played at the ceremony.
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  • Playing at the ceremony.
  • French Veterans at the ceremony.
  • A French Veteran with many medals who participated in the ceremony.
  • The French Veteran was so proud of his American Legion pin and was so happy to meet us Americans.
  • Jan with band members at the daily ceremony.
  • Preparing for the ceremony.
  • A national policeman on watch during the parade.
  • The American representative to the Victoire 1945 Day (May 8) celebrating victory at the end of WWII.  There was no American Ambassador to France at the time of this photo.
  • The French mounted guard chasseurs on the Champs-Elysees (large boulevard in Paris) that leads up to the Arc de Triomphe.
  • French mounted guard chasseurs - dating back to the days of Napoleon - on parade during the Victoire 1945 Day.
  • Beautiful uniforms and horses.
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  • The French President Francois Hollande passing by after the Victoire 1945 Day parade.
  • This gentleman caught my eye during the parade and agreed to be photographed.
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