Paris - France commemorated the end of World War II with a
memorial service at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
President Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath at the landmark arch in the
centre of the capital on Wednesday morning in rainy weather and
symbolically relit the eternal flame that burns under the arch.
The French national anthem, the Marseillaise, and the Song of the
Partisanswere played at the ceremony.
The ceremony is a tradition on the French holiday to mark the victory
over Nazi Germany, which surrendered on May 8, 1945.
His predecessors, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, government
officials, as well as military representatives and veterans, were
also present at the ceremony at the top of the Champs-Elysees
boulevard.
Just in time for the commemoration ceremony, the Arc de Triomphe was
completely restored after being severely damaged by Yellow Vest
protesters in December.
In November, Macron had already commemorated the end of World War I
100 years ago with a summit.
At that time, more than 60 heads of state and government gathered -
also in rainy weather - under the Arc de Triomphe, among them German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US
President Donald Trump.