French Jets Soar and Tanks Roll for Bastille Day

French soldiers parade the Champs Elysees avenue, with the Arc de Triomphe in background. France held its annual Bastille Day military parade with 3,000 soldiers who marched up the Champs Elysees Avenue.

They were accompanied by 200 vehicles with 85 aircraft flying overhead. France's guests of honor from Australian and New Zealand were recognized for their sacrifice in the 1916 Battle of the Somme, with troops from both countries taking part in the traditional parade down the Champs Elysees.

The French 16th hunter battalion attend the Bastille Day military parade.

A sniper of the French Brigade d'Intervention takes up his position at the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Students of the Ecole Polytechnique school march in unison.

The Republican Guard parades on the Place de la Concorde as government officials and politicians from Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States watch from their designated viewing post.

French President Francois Hollande stands at attention in the command car as he reviews the troops descending on the Champs Elysees.

Officers of the commandement du renseignement prepare for the annual parade.

A Maori warrior from New Zealand takes part in the military parade.

Spectators wave French flags on Bastille Day as a pack of riders cycles past during the Tour de France cycling race.

Troops from Australia and New Zealand march to represent soldiers who fought with France in 1916.

Four Mirage 2000C and one Alpha jet fly over Paris, France, on their way to the parade.

Alphajet aircrafts from the French elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France release smoke in the colors of the French national flag above the La Defense business district.