Paris celebrates Bastille day

AFPFrance traditionally marks the start of the French Revolution on July 14 with festive displays of fireworks and parties. But this year, the military parade on the Champs-Elysées also features a sombre World War I centennial commemoration.

Across French cities, towns, hamlets and villages, an explosion of red, white and blue – the tricolor of the national flag – greets citizens, residents and tourists on July 14, or le quatorze juillet as it’s commonly known.

This year, France is celebrating Bastille Day by marking another historic event: the start of World War I a century ago.

French President François Hollande has invited dozens of nations whose soldiers died on the battlefields of the Great War to join the commemorations and view the majestic military parade on the Champs-Elysées avenue in Paris.

Follow the festivities on FRANCE 24 live: http://www.france24.com/en/livefeed/