■ France celebrated an almost-normal Bastille Day amid COVID restrictions.
National holiday back, but restrictions in place
PARIS — Bastille Day is back, sort of.
France celebrated its national holiday Wednesday with thousands of troops marching in a Paris parade, warplanes roaring overhead and traditional parties around the country after last year’s events were scaled back because of virus fears.
Two horses stumbled while parading on the Champs-elysees, tossing their uniformed riders, but overall the day’s main event went according to plan and looked a lot like Bastille Days of the past.
The virus was never far away, however. A group of protesters angry over new vaccine rules skirmished with police amid bursts of tear gas in Paris. Meanwhile, worries about resurgent infections prompted some towns to curtail annual fireworks gatherings.
At the Paris parade, the number of onlookers was limited. Each person attending had to show a special pass proving they had been fully vaccinated, had recently recovered from the virus or a had negative virus test. Similar restrictions were in place for those watching a fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower.
“I came especially for my son who is marching today,” said Gaelle Henry from Normandy. “It’s nice to be able to get out a little bit and finally get some fresh air and think that all the people are here and that we are getting back to normal a little bit.”
Masks were ubiquitous among spectators and for the dignitaries watching the parade under a redwhite-and-blue awning emulating the French flag.
The clatter of hundreds of horseshoes accompanied military music as uniformed guards on horseback escorted President Emmanuel Macron. Some cheers rose up from civilian onlookers as Macron rode past restaurants, luxury boutiques and movie theaters that were shuttered for much of the past year and a half.
But not everyone is cheering his handling of the pandemic. Some cafe owners, hospital workers and parents are pushing back against his decision this week to require all French health care workers to get vaccinated and a special COVID pass for anyone over 12 going to a restaurant.
Many doctors and scientists, meanwhile, are urging tougher measures to contain the virus.