This Sunday, May 8, the traditional ceremonies to commemorate the victory of May 8, 1945 take place everywhere in France. In Paris, this 77th edition was launched from Place Clemenceau (8th).
This memorial sequence, which celebrates the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany during the Second World War, was chaired by Emmanuel Macron, who had just been invested for a second term.
The ceremony also took place in the presence of the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, the Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and the Minister Delegate in charge of Memory and Veterans Affairs, Geneviève Darrieussecq, as well as the highest military authorities.
The President of the Republic arrived at 11 a.m. in front of the statue of General de Gaulle to pay tribute and lay a wreath there. Around 11:20 a.m., Emmanuel Macron went up the Champs-Élysées with the large mixed escort of the Republican Guard to arrive around 11:30 a.m. at Place de l’Etoile.
The Head of State, also Head of the Armies, reviewed the troops before laying another wreath in front of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. After a minute of silence, a Marseillaise sounded followed by the “Chant des Partisans”, an anthem of the Resistance, interpreted by the choir of the French Army.
Finally, Emmanuel Macron signed the guestbook before greeting the flame committee and the flag bearers, as well as the political and military authorities.