This year, the military parade will take place, but the pandemic is not forgotten. People wishing to attend July 14, Wednesday on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, must therefore have a health pass and wear a mask.
In addition, the gauge of authorized spectators will be divided by more than 2 compared to 2019, with a total of expected spectators of 10,100 (8,800 seated in the stands and 1,300 standing), the Elysee said on Monday. In the spring, the organizers still hoped to be able to accommodate 25,000 people, but the precautionary principle prevailed.
“Given the epidemic situation, several health measures will be compulsory for parade spectators, whether they are attending the festivities in the stands or along the avenue des Champs-Elysées”, indicates the prefecture.
Protection perimeter from 6.30 a.m.
“Each person must be provided with one of the three proofs [un schéma de vaccination complet, un test négatif ou un test prouvant un rétablissement du Covid-19] constituting the “sanitary pass” to enter the parade perimeter. “ Wearing a mask will be compulsory. Furthermore, “A gauge will be applied to regulate the access of people along the avenue des Champs-Elysées”. The prefecture recommends that spectators arrive on site in advance to maximize their chance to enter the parade perimeter.
In addition, a protection perimeter will be set up from 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the areas of the Champs-Elysées, Concorde and the National Assembly. Within this perimeter, “Access and movement of people will be regulated with the obligation to submit to the visual inspection of baggage and its search as well as security pat-downs, and vehicle inspection”. Metro stations will be closed in this area and the operation of the terraces on the Champs-Elysées will be interrupted from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
15,000 people for the fireworks display
In 2020, the parade format was replaced by a restricted ceremony on Place de la Concorde. The absence of a parade in France on July 14 was a first since the end of the Second World War. This year, the European troops of the Takuba force in the Sahel, on which Paris is counting to reduce its own presence there, will be in the spotlight. The parade will mobilize 5,000 participants, including 4,400 soldiers on foot, 73 planes, 24 helicopters, 221 vehicles and 200 horses of the Republican Guard.
Those wishing to attend the fireworks display in Paris in the evening will also have to present a health pass and the gauge will be reduced to 15,000 spectators. The prefecture and the town hall explain in a press release that they have decided to adapt this event “Taking into account the deterioration of the health context” and “In line with the announcements of the President of the Republic”.
“Wearing a mask is also compulsory”, they specify. A wide “Exclusion zone”, completely closed to the public, will be set up around the Champ-de-Mars, they add, specifying that the public is “Strongly encouraged not to gather around the prohibited perimeter” and is “Invited to follow the television broadcast of the fireworks”.