Paris Shuts Roads for Bastille Day Parade Attended by Indonesia's Prabowo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several major roads in Paris were closed on Monday, July 14, 2025, to mark Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale. The closure supported the annual military parade on the Champs-Élysées, which this year was attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as an honored guest.

“Yes, there was a massive road closure,” said Rika Fonsekaningrum, an Indonesian tourist visiting Paris, when contacted by Tempo on Monday evening local time.

According to Rika, such closures occur every year during Bastille Day and generally do not disrupt daily life for Parisians. “For the French, I think it doesn’t really affect their activities. This is normal for them,” she said.

She recounted meeting a group of Indonesian tourists who were unable to return to their hotel after the parade due to security measures. “Tourists entering the parade area were thoroughly searched,” she added.

Rika described the atmosphere as festive but more tailored to visitors than locals. “The celebration was lively, but not as vibrant as Independence Day in Indonesia. Back home, August 17 is way more spirited,” she said.

She noted that what made this year special for her was seeing President Prabowo among the honored guests. Many Indonesians, including herself, came to the parade wearing batik.

Fireworks and Final Celebrations

The Bastille Day festivities concluded with a fireworks display near the Eiffel Tower at 11:00 p.m. local time. Rika said that after the parade ended at around 6:00 p.m., public transportation resumed briefly. However, Metro stations near the Eiffel Tower closed again in the evening ahead of the fireworks.

In videos shared by Rika, large crowds filled the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe area. Despite the crowd, the situation remained orderly.

Prabowo and Macron on the Main Stage

Bastille Day commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille Prison, a key moment in the French Revolution and the fall of absolute monarchy. It is celebrated annually on July 14.

According to a broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat on YouTube, President Prabowo attended the parade seated on the main stage alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Prabowo wore a dark gray suit, red tie, black peci, and sunglasses. He was accompanied by his son Didit Prabowo and brother Hashim Djojohadikusumo.

The parade began with 17 French military aircraft flying over the Champs-Élysées, releasing smoke in the colors of the French flag. Below them, the Indonesian Contingent from the Patriot II Task Force led the march while singing Maju Tak Gentar by Cornel Simanjuntak.

Beyond the parade, Prabowo was scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements with the French government. Prior to arriving in Paris, he visited Brussels on Sunday, July 13, where Indonesia and the European Union finalized the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

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