France marks National Day with traditional military parade

President Emmanuel Macron inspected French and allied units which took part in France's World War II liberation 80 years ago.

And Paris welcomed the Olympic flame to the city, less than two weeks before it hosts the Summer Games.

There was no international star guest this year, and there were no armoured vehicles as a reduced number of troops marched down the less majestic Avenue Foch.

No tanks took part, and only 4,000 foot soldiers marched, down from 6,500 last year. The military fly-past saw 45 aeroplanes and 22 helicopters soar over Paris.

Regiments honoured on the parade included those from France's allies and former French colonies that took part in the country's 1944 World War II liberation.

The parade's final section turned to the upcoming games.