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The 14th of July procession down the Champs-Elysées in Paris, as seen by Philip Plisson, Official Painter for the French Navy...
This year the 14th of July procession focused on the actions of the armed services  in the service of solidarity at Home and around the World. It also celebrated the year of Brazil.

As is tradition, President Jacques Chirac, escorted by the Republican Guard, made his way down the Champs-Elysées from the Place de l'Etoile, waving to the crowds as he went. After a musical interlude, Jacques Chirac and the President of Brazil, standing side by side on the official tribune, passed in review French troops from the three armed forces (the army, the air-force and the navy) and the National "Gendarmerie", who were  joined by several Brazillian units.

A total of almost 4000 foot soldiers, 60 aircraft, 30 helicopters, 380 vehicles, 83 motorbikes, 241 horses and 146 dogs participated in this spectacular military parade. 5000 police and "gendarmes" were there to make sure everything ran smoothly.