The liberation of Paris, from August 19 to 25, 1944, marked the end of the Battle of Paris. To commemorate it, Sunday, August 25, Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and many officials, will preside over the 80th anniversary ceremony starting at 5:15 p.m. on Place Denfert-Rochereau (14th arrondissement). An official tribute that closes a week rich in memorial events and cultural activities that took place in different districts of the capital.
From 3:50 p.m., France 2 launches its special edition to follow these commemorations. The program is presented by Jean-Baptiste Marteau, who will be joined by Nathalie Saint-Cricq, Frédérique Neau-Dufour, historian, specialist in the Second World War, and Stéphane Bern. Follow our live broadcast.
A car parade and speeches. The celebrations will begin at 4:15 p.m. with the departure of a car parade that will set off from Porte d’Orléans to Place Denfert-Rochereau, the route taken by part of the 2nd Armored Division (DB) commanded by General Leclerc in order to liberate Paris at dawn on August 25, 1944. At 5:15 p.m., a military ceremony will be held with the arrival of the troops. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, will then give a speech, which will be followed by that of the President of the Republic.
The Paralympic flame invited. At 5:50 p.m., three days before the launch of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the flame will reach Place Denfert-Rochereau. It will be carried by a collective relay of the Companions of the Liberation. Eight aircraft from the Patrouille de France will then fly over the capital from the Porte de Saint-Ouen to the Porte d’Orléans. At 7:30 p.m., the bells of Parisian churches will ring the end of the commemorations.
Tributes throughout Paris. All day Sunday, tributes will be paid at the Gare de l’Est, the Gare Montparnasse and on Place Stalingrad. These events will bring together political and military figures and veterans’ associations for a solemn moment of reflection. Speeches will be given to recall the importance of this day in the history of Paris and France. In addition to these ceremonies, there will be popular festivities as well as educational initiatives.