France - Bastille Day

Hundreds of cars burnt as holiday festivities begin

Article published on the 2009-07-14 Latest update 2009-07-14 14:29 TU

An Indian army regiment marches on the Champs Elysees
(Photo: Reuters)

Three-hundred and seventeen vehicles were burnt and 13 police officers were injured overnight on the eve of France's national holiday. Tuesday morning, Indian troops joined the French military on the traditional parade for Bastille Day, which commemorates the revolutionary origins of the modern French republic.

As thousands around France danced at firemen's balls, some youths clashed with the police, in what has become an alternative tradition on the eve of public holidays.

Over 300 motor vehicles were burnt around the country, mainly in working-class areas which have been hit by riots over recent years. There were 6.73 per cent more incidents this year than in 2008, but police described the night as "relatively calm".

Thirteen police officers were injured, although the majority of injuries are reported to be no more serious than hearing problems due to fireworks being thrown at them.

On Tuesday morning, over 400 Indian soldiers joined the Bastille Day parade, watched by their Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is guest of honour, along with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and German President Horst Koehler. They joined French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, and members of the French government.

Singh and Sarkozy were happy to see progress in their relations, according to a statement by the French presidency issued after the two lunched together.

"For a number of years France didn't pay much attention to India," says former Indian ambassador  Ramesh Mulye.

But over the last ten years trade has grown, he told RFI.

"For instance, there was at one stage only about 30 French companies present in India. Now the number is about 500 and it will go up to about 1,000 in about a year's time."

And India, like China has suffered less than Europe and the US from the global economic crisis.

"The fact is that trade has not slowed down despite the global economic conditions," says Muliye.

Paris and many other cities will host firework displays Tuesday evening, though the Burgundy city of Dijon has postponed its pyrotechnic show because of warnings of a violent storm.