On the occasion of 106e anniversary of the Armistice of the First World War, Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit the tomb of the unknown soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe.
One November 11th “traditional and special”under the theme of “Franco-British friendship”promises the Élysée. This Monday, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron will be accompanied by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to celebrate the 106e anniversary of the Armistice of 1918, as the 120 endse anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between France and the United Kingdom. In a press release, the Élysée details the program for this commemorative day.
Wreath laying and minutes of silence
First, at 9:30 a.m., the two French and British leaders met in Emmanuel Macron's office for an interview. At 10:40 a.m., head to the Champs-Élysées, at the foot of the Georges Clemenceau statue near the Grand Palais, to lay a wreath and participate in a minute of silence.
Before joining that of Winston Churchill, a stone's throw away, where another wreath will be laid and where the ringing of “The Last Post» will sound before another minute of silence. Then, the British and French anthems “God Save the King” and the Marseillaise will be played.
Arrival under the Arc de Triomphe
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer will then head to the tomb of the unknown soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe, in the heart of Place de l'Etoile, at 11:15 a.m. The French President will rekindle the Flame of the Nation alongside veterans and families of soldiers who died for France, after the ringing of the “Cease Fire” and a new laying of wreaths. The Marseillaise anthem will be sung by the French Army Choir, who will also sing “God Save the King”.
An important symbol, since 80 years ago, General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill commemorated, for the first time since the Liberation of France, the Armistice under the Arc de Triomphe.
Finally, at 12:20 p.m., the ceremony will close after the parade of the Republican Guard cavalry regiment. Emmanuel Macron will receive standard bearers, members of patriotic associations, members of the Flame committee, residents of the National Institution of Invalides and representatives of the fighting world for a lunch at the Élysée.
Closed metro stations and reduced traffic
Please note that due to the commemorations, six Paris metro stations are closed this Monday. According to RATP, these are Boissière (line 6), Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13), Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (RER A, lines 1, 2 and 6), Franklin D. Roosevelt ( lines 1 and 9), Georges V (line 1) and Kléber (line 6). Traffic will resume after authorization from police headquarters. Cars will also not be able to circulate everywhere in the capital. In the area of Place de l'Etoile and the Champs-Élysées, restrictions are planned from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., specifies the town hall of the 8th arrondissement.
