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Saturday, 14 July 2007, 14:29 GMT 15:29 UK

In pictures: Bastille Day

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Jets of the Patrouille de France fly over the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as part of France's annual Bastille Day celebrations.

Nicolas Sarkozy on the Champs Elysees

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Nicolas Sarkozy was overseeing his first Champs Elysees parade as the new French president.

Military guests at the parade

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Mr Sarkozy broke with tradition by inviting foreign military contingents, including from all 27 countries of the European Union.

Foreign Regiment soldiers in Paris

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But there were some stalwarts - notably these Pioneers of the 1st Foreign Regiment.

Bastille Day parade

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Flag bearers of the EU nations parade down the Champs Elysees. Mr Sarkozy said: "I wanted the national holiday to be a people's holiday."

Bastille Day parade

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There were some casualties along the way - this French soldier fainted during the parade.

Bastille Day celebrations

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Along the route families stopped for some snapshots. On Saturday night there will be a mass, free, open-air concert headlined by French star Michel Polnareff.

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