
A 'flying soldier' wowed crowds in Paris today when he arrived at France's Bastille Day parade on an 118mph 'Back to the Future'-style hoverboard.

Franky Zapata, 40, brandished an unloaded rifle as a he raced at high speed above world leaders including President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Then he landed comfortably on his so-called Flyboard, which he hopes to sell to the French military.

A 'flying soldier' inventor caused astonishment in Paris today when he arrived at France's Bastille Day parade on a 118mph 'Back to the Future'-style hoverboard

Franky Zapata, 40, brandished an unloaded rifle as a he raced at high speed above world leaders including President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel

'A flying soldier!' wrote Lord Edward Llewellyn, Britain's Ambassador to France, as he posted a video of the flight on Twitter

Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said that the board would be 'tested for different uses, for example as a flying logistical platform, or indeed as an assault platform.'

The leaders saw French inventor and entrepreneur Franky Zapata soar above the Champs-Elysees on a turbine engine-powered flyboard. The former jet-skiing champion, grasping a rifle in a sign of the possible military uses of his device, took to the air in a futuristic showpiece of the annual Bastille Day parade

Franky Zapata flies on a Flyboard during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Eiffel Tower in the background

'A flying soldier!' wrote Lord Edward Llewellyn, Britain's Ambassador to France, as he posted a video of the flight on Twitter.

'Military innovation on display at this morning's Bastille Day parade here this morning in Paris,' Baron Llewellyn added.

Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said that the board would be 'tested for different uses, for example as a flying logistical platform, or indeed as an assault platform.'

Mr Zapata calls his invention the Flyboard Air, and admits it is very similar to the hoverboard used by Marty McFly, played by Michael J Fox, in the Back to the Future films.

The former jet-skiing champion and entrepreneur from Marseille developed the turbine engine powered board in his garage at home.

It can reach speeds of up to 190 kilometres an hour, which is the equivalent of 118mph, and can currently stay in the air for up to 10 minutes.

Mr Zapata calls his invention the Flyboard Air, and admits it is very similar to the hoverboard used by Marty McFly, played by Michael J Fox, in the Back to the Future films

The former jet-skiing champion and entrepreneur from Marseille developed the turbine engine powered board in his garage at home. It can reach speeds of up to 190 kilometres an hour, which is the equivalent of 118mph, and can currently stay in the air for up to 10 minutes

It can reach speeds of up to 190 kilometres an hour, which is the equivalent of 118mph, and can currently stay in the air for up to 10 minutes

Zapata was armed aboard the Flyboard is seen during the traditional Bastille Day military parade

Zapata flies a jet-powered hoverboard or 'Flyboard' prior to the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Mr Zapata is now planning to cross the English Channel on the board, although this would require refuelling on the way

He hopes to make the trip on July 25, 110 years after French aviator Louis Bleriot completed the first plane flight across the same stretch of sea

He will allow tests for different kinds of uses, for example as a flying logistical platform or, indeed, as an assault platform.'

Zapata, who first developed his device flying above water, says that the flyboard has the power to take off and reach speeds up to 190 kilometres an hour (118 mph) and run for 10 minutes

Mr Zapata is now planning to cross the English Channel on the board, although this would require refuelling on the way.

He hopes to make the trip on July 25, 110 years after French aviator Louis Bleriot completed the first plane flight across the same stretch of sea.

He will allow tests for different kinds of uses, for example as a flying logistical platform or, indeed, as an assault platform.'

World leaders including German chancellor Angela Merkel, EU commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined President Emmaneul Macron and his wife Brigitte for a day of celebrations in the capital's iconic Champs-Elysees avenue.

Macron appeared unfazed by boos and jeers from far-right protesters as he laughed and joked with world leaders and mingled with servicemen and women.

Yellow Vest protesters were removed by police as Macron waved at crowds on the Champs Elysee in Paris from a military command vehicle.

Macron later hosted a lunch with the world leaders while Yellow Vest protesters took to the streets and clashed with riot police.

French police fired tear gas at protesters during a tense standoff in central Paris in the aftermath of the annual Bastille Day military parade.

Officers attempted to disperse dozens of protesters, who chanted anti-government slogans, knocked down security barriers erected for the parade and set fire to refuse bins.

France, in particular Paris, has been rocked since late last year by the 'yellow vest' protest movement against the government of President Emmanuel Macron.

Emmanuel Macron today became the first president in recent history to be booed during France's Bastille day celebrations as he hosted European leaders including Angela Merkel in Paris

The humiliating jeers came as the head of state waved at crowds on the Champs Elysee in Paris from a military command vehicle

French Alpha jets of the Patrouille de France spray lines of smoke in the Tricolour, the colours of the French flag over the Champs-Elysees during Bastille Day parade

Sunday's violence was the worst seen in central Paris since March.

But the demonstrators in central Paris were not wearing the yellow vests that marked out the movement. Police had earlier not allowed those wearing the garments past barriers and some had carried yellow balloons instead.

The clashes tarnished the July 14 national day that commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris during the French Revolution and is marked every year by a military parade.

Macron sought to showcase European military cooperation in the parade, hosting key EU leaders.

Earlier some protesters had jeered and whistled at Macron as he stood in an open-top command car alongside France's chief of staff General Francois Lecointre.

Before the current clashes erupted, Paris authorities said 152 people had been detained.

But the parade, which wrapped up at lunchtime, then passed without any hitch.

More than 4,000 members of the armed forces took part in the ceremonial march to the Place de la Concorde, as fighter jets roared overhead in a show of France's military might amid growing tensions with the US.

Standing in an open-top command car alongside France's chief of staff General Francois Lecointre, Macron inspected the waiting forces and waved to the crowds.

Standing in an open-top command car alongside France's chief of staff General Francois Lecointre, Macron inspected the waiting forces and waved to the crowds. Pictured: French soldiers walk down the Champ-Elysees

French Army helicopters fly over La Defense business district on their way to participate to the traditional Bastille Day military parade

French soldiers demonstrate during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue Avenue at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, a dozen European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker participate in the traditional parade of July 14 which is placed this year under the sign of European military cooperation

Alpha Jet from the French Air Force 'Patrouille de France' fly through the French capital forming the blue white and red of the French flag

There were shouts of 'Macron Resign!' from the Gilets Jaunes - the Yellow Vest movement that infiltrated the heavily policed Sunday morning event.

'The boos and whistles were non-stop and Macron certainly heard them all,' said one of the protesters with the Yellow Vests, who are named after the high visibility jackets they normally wear.

'We managed to get round security by leaving our yellow vests at home, and this allowed our protest to go ahead. It's a humiliating day for Macron.'

Among those manhandled by police during the booing was Eric Douet, one of the unofficial leaders of the Yellow Vests.

Riot police officers gesture in front of a burning litter container on the Champs-Elysees avenue

Members of the Gendarmerie charge as protestors linked to the Yellow Vests (Gilets Jaunes) movement take part in a demonstration on the side of the annual Bastille Day ceremony

Fire in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as protesters linked to the Yellow Vests (Gilets Jaunes) movement storm the French capital

French Gendarmes remove fences next to a burning portable toilet during clashes with protesters

Riot police officers remove barricades that were uses as security barriers for Bastille Day parade as a portable toilet is pushed over and set alight

Members of the French anti-riot police CRS evacuate members of the public shouting French President down during his review of the troops

Police grab protesters - thought to be from the yellow vest movement - ahead of the annual Bastille day parade

France's President Emmanuel Macron (left) gestures in an Acmat VLRA vehicle next to French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre as they review troops before the start of the Bastille Day

Macron and Paris military governor general Bruno Le Ray walk at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris

A French gunner from the army sits in a Caracal helicopter flying over Paris, with the Eiffel tower on the background

Military helicopters fly over the Arc de Triomphe during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue

World leaders including German chancellor Angela Merkel, EU commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (pictured) joined Macron and his wife Brigitte for a day of celebrations in the capital's iconic Champs-Elysees avenue

A French gendarme looks at his watch next to horses of the French national guard (Garde nationale) before the start of the Bastille Day military parade

French elite acrobatic flying team 'Patrouille de France' (PAF) performs a flying display over the Champs-Elysees avenue

: Patrouille de France jets fly over the Tuileries Garden during the Bastille day ceremony on July 14, 2019 in Paris. The Bastille Day Military Parade is held annually on July 14th as part of The French National Day celebrations

Patrouille de France jets fly over the Tuileries Garden during the ceremony. This year leaders from 10 EU countries joined Macron

Crowds watch from the fountain in the Tuileries garden as jets form a tricolore in the skies

Patrouille de France jets fly over the Louvre pyramid during the Bastille day ceremony

Macron (centre) on board the command car, flanked by mounted Repulblican Guard, attends the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue

A helicopter flies over the Arc de Triomphe during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue

First lady Brigitte Macron arrives to attend the Bastille Day military parade

Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron look on at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

French soldiers march in the Bastille Day military parade down the famous Champs-Elysees avenue

Troops hold the tricolour flag reading 'Honnuer et Patrie' (legion of honour)

Macron waves as he attends the Bastille Day military parade in the French capital

Macron (left) greets people as he leaves at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Macron greets troops and guests after the parade following the annual march through Paris

Brigitte Macron poses with members of the French military sport's team at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade

The French first lady (right) speaks with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid (left) as they attend the Bastille Day military parade

French soldiers parade with dogs during the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Macron and German chancellor Merkel are seen among French soldiers at the end of the Bastille Day military parade

French soldiers perform a military exercice in front of France's President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders prior to the Bastille Day military parade

French veterans take part in the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Macron appears unfazed by commotion as he waves at crowds during the day of celebrations which saw him booed by far-right protesters

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and French First Lady Brigitte Macron embrace in a show of European unity during the event

A Caiman Helicopter flies next to the Eiffel Tower during the traditional Bastille Day parade

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron greet relatives of French soldiers at the end of the decadent parade

Children stand on a tank on the sidelines of the annual Bastille Day military parade to get the best view of 4000 troops

More than 4,000 members of the armed forces took part in the ceremonial march to the Place de la Concorde, as fighter jets roared overhead in a show of France's military might amid growing tensions with the US . Pictured: The 132nd battalion of dog unit march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade

Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrive to attend the Bastille Day military parade

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron speak to troops at the end of the annual celebration as they mingle amid crowds

Angela Merkel stands with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Video posted on social media showed him being dragged away from the side of the Champs Elysee before he was formally arrested.

Mr Drouet has called for 'a mass uprising without precedent by all useful and necessary means' against the Macron administration.

This followed President Macron accusing British politicians of 'tearing society apart' by allowing an EU referendum in Britain.

A riot police officer takes position on the Champs-Elysees avenue during scuffles with demonstrators after Bastille Day parade

Riot police officers stand in front of a burning litter containers on the Champs-Elysees

World leaders joined Macron for lunch at the Elysee Palace following the parade. From left: Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Danish Defense Minister Trine Bramsen, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

A French soldier demonstrates during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue Avenue

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron greeted guests following the parade

French soldiers in full military gear crouch as they put on a demonstration in front on thousands

One solider in camouflage demonstrates during the traditional Bastille Day military parad

President Emmanuel Macron (centre), French Junior Minister for Education Gabriel Attal (centre right) and French Education and Youth Affairs Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer (centre left) pose with members of the civic service and the universal national service SNU (Service National Universel)

Brigitte Macron (centre) talks with French Education and Youth Affairs Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer (left) and French Junior Minister for Disability Issues Sophie Cluzel (right) at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade

French military fighter jet fly over the Louvre pyramide

People watch as Patrouille de France jets fly over the Louvre pyramide during the Bastille day ceremony

French military fighter jet fly over the Louvre pyramid during the Bastille day ceremony

There were shouts of 'Macron Resign!' from the Gilets Jaunes - the Yellow Vest movement that infiltrated the heavily policed Sunday morning event. 'The boos and whistles were non-stop and Macron certainly heard them all,' said one of the protesters with the Yellow Vests, who are named after the high visibility jackets they normally wear. The chants were no doubt an embarrassment to the President who hosted many European leaders including Mark Rutte (left), Angela Merkel (second left) and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (third left). Also there with Macron (third right) was his wife Brigitte (second right) and French Prime Minster Edouard Philippe (right)

There were shouts of 'Macron Resign!' from the Gilets Jaunes - the Yellow Vest movement that infiltrated the heavily policed Sunday morning event. 'The boos and whistles were non-stop and Macron certainly heard them all,' said one of the protesters with the Yellow Vests, who are named after the high visibility jackets they normally wear. Pictured: A brave black Labrador amid a pack of heroic German Shepherds walk with the soldiers down the iconic avenue

Macron greets President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker prior to attend the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue. Closer European defence cooperation has been one of Macron's key foreign policy aims and the president shows no sign of wavering despite growing political turbulence in Germany and Britain's looming exit from the European Union

French paratroopers march on the Champs-Elysees avenue. At the 2017 parade, Macron's guest of honour was the freshly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump as the young French leader sought to take the initiative in forming a bond with his counterpart - but Republican leader did not attend this year amid tensions between the countries

A child sits on a tank before Bastille Day parade in Paris. Millions in France will take to the streets to celebrate the national day today

People gather around a tank before Bastille Day parade. More than 4,000 military members from France and other EU countries will march through the European city

A close eye will be kept on German chancellor Angela Merkel who has needed to sit after being seen shaking at recent public appearances. Left with Jean-Claude Juncker, right with French leaders

Pupils of the Ecole speciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (Special Military School of Saint-Cyr) take part in the Bastille Day military parade clad in military uniforms that include red trousers and a sleek black jacket

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade

Members of the firefighter brigade of Paris take part in the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Republican guards take part in the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Despite a range of concessions to the Vests including scrapping green taxes on diesel and petrol, they have continue to call for President Macron to step down.

The group, made up of protesters from both the far-right and far-left have regularly rioted on the Champs Elysee, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to restaurants and banks, and looting shops.

Closer European defence cooperation has been one of Macron's key foreign policy aims and the president shows no sign of wavering despite growing political turbulence in Germany and Britain's looming exit from the European Union.

At the 2017 parade, Macron's guest of honour was the freshly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump as the young French leader sought to take the initiative in forming a bond with his counterpart.

French military fighter jet fly over the Louvre pyramide during the Bastille day ceremony

Macron (left) gestures in an Acmat VLRA vehicle next to French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre as they review troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade

Students of the Polytechnique school march during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs Elysees

Macron (L) gestures in an Acmat VLRA vehicle next to French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre as they review troops before the start of the biggest celebration of the year

Portuguese troops take part to Bastille Day parade. Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was among the world leaders joining Macron at the event

Dutch troops take part to Bastille Day parade. Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined Macron and his wife Brigitte for a day of celebrations in the capital's iconic Champs-Elysees avenue

Soldiers of the Foreign legion march on the Champs-Elysees avenue. Macron, who pushed the idea of the European Intervention Initiative (E2I) to undertake missions outside of existing structures like NATO, says European defence cooperation is crucial

French President Emmanuel Macron reviews troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade

Angela Merkel, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Emmanuel Macron talk to each other during the parade

But since then ties between Trump and Macron have soured over the US pullout from the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal, as well as France's new law for a tax on digital giants, mostly Trump's administration attacked as 'unfair on the US'.

Macron, who pushed the idea of the European Intervention Initiative (E2I) to undertake missions outside of existing structures like NATO, says European defence cooperation is crucial.

'Never, since the end of World War II has Europe been so important,' Macron said in a statement to mark July 14.

He said the aim of the E2I was to 'act together and reinforce our capacity to act together,' adding: 'Our security and our defence pass through Europe.'

France's President Emmanuel Macron stands in an Acmat VLRA vehicle next to French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre as they review the troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade

Pupils of the Ecole Polytechnique (Special military school of Polytechnique) parade in front of (first row, from left) French Defence Minister Florence Parly, French Senate Presdident Gerard Larcher, Denmark's Defence minister Trine Bramsen, British MP David Lidington, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, French president wife Brigitte Macron, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid

German soldiers march on the Champs-Elysees avenue during the Bastille Day parade - leaders from across Europe, including Angela Merkel watched on

From left: Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, French Junior Minister for Environment Emmanuelle Wargon, French Environment Minister Francois de Rugy, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Junior Minister for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin and French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire arrive to attend the parade. Right: French Defence Minister Florence Parly and French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe arrive to attend the Bastille Day celebrations

Pioneers of the Foreign Legion regiment march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue

Pioneers of the Foreign Legion regiment march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue

Forces from all nine countries taking part alongside France in the E2I - including Britain and Germany - will be represented at the parade.

Flags of the 10 countries of the European Intervention Initiative led the military parade down the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris.

In a sign of France's ambition to be a leading modern military power under Macron, the president Saturday announced the creation of a national space force command that will eventually be part of the air force.

'We will reinforce our knowledge of the situation in space, we will better protect our satellites, including in an active manner,' Macron said as he announced the plan, which mirrors a US initiative championed by Trump.

Highlighting France's continued commitment to NATO, the alliance's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg was also present at the parade.

Spectators raise their phones to capture footage and pictures of the French Mounted Republican guards as they march for the French national day

Macron smiles as he greets troops after the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris

French Mounted Republican guards take part in the annual Bastille Day military parade in front of world leaders

Spanish soldiers march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade. A German A400M transport plane and a Spanish C130 will take part in fly-bys today, as well as two British Chinook helicopters

Pupils of the fire fighters national school (Ecole Nationale superieure des officiers de Sapeurs Pompiers) and Brigade a Paris' firefighters stand guard during a review of the troops before taking part in the parade

Macron (centre), flanked with Paris military governor general Bruno Le Ray (centre let) and French Junior Minister for Education Gabriel Attal arrives to greet members of the civic service and the universal national service SNU (Service National Universel) at the end of the annual Bastille Day military parade

Crowds gathered to snap pictures of the impressive military display including those from the Foreign Legion (pictured)

Members of the French Republican Guard (Garde Republicaine) tend to their horses ahead of the parade

Denmark's Royal Life Guards carry and flag and guns as they march in the French national celebration

Students of the French national schools of Police of Sens and Reims (Ecoles nationales de Sens et de Reims) march as leaders from 10 European countries watch on

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel at the end of the parade

A French soldier aims a gun in a tank as they drive down the Champs-Elysees avenue

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, French Defence Minister Florence Parly, French Senate Presdident Gerard Larcher, Denmark's Defence minister Trine Bramsen, British senior cabinet minister David Lidington, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Brigitte Macron, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel attend the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue

A German A400M transport plane and a Spanish C130 will take part in fly-bys today, as well as two British Chinook helicopters.

The Chinooks are a major symbol of British-French defence cooperation even as Brexit looms, with Britain deploying three of the aircraft and 100 personnel for France's operation in the African Sahel region.

Outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May had been expected to attend but Britain is instead represented by senior cabinet minister David Lidington, the Elysee said.

Also present are members of the 5,000-strong Franco-German Brigade (BFA), which was created in 1989 as a symbol of postwar unity between France and Germany, and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Young people of the SNU (Service National Universel) hold a French flag as they attend the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue,

French President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel stand with German and French veterans after the parade

Macron walks by members of the civic service and the universal national service SNU (Service National Universel) during the annual celebration

Macron speaks to military at the end of the parade ahead of a busy day of celebrations in the French captial

French marine cadets march on the Champs-Elysees avenue, one of the many groups or 4000 military personnel to march in Paris in a show of European strength

France's President Emmanuel Macron (left) stands in an Acmat VLRA vehicle next to French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre (right) as they review the troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade

Merkel, who is battling to keep her grand coalition together at home, will again be under close scrutiny after she suffered three episodes of shaking at official events in recent weeks.

Some 4,300 members of the armed forces, 196 vehicles, 237 horses, 69 planes and 39 helicopters are mobilised for the event in the heart of the French capital.

Some 4,300 members of the armed forces, 196 vehicles, 237 horses, 69 planes and 39 helicopters are mobilised for the event in the heart of the French capital. Left: Macron inspects the troops, right: The 132nd battalion of dog unit march

Pupils of the Ecole Polytechnique (Special military school of Polytechnique) take part in the Bastille Day military parade

Pupils of the Ecole Polytechnique (Special military school of Polytechnique) take part in the Bastille Day military parade

July 14 commemorates the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789, and involves a large military parade and fly past

The former jet-skiing champion, grasping a rifle in a sign of the possible military uses of his device, took to the air in a futuristic showpiece of the annual Bastille Day parade.

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly told France Inter radio ahead of the parade that the flyboard 'can

July 14 commemorates the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789, and involves a large military parade and fly past.

It is is the national day of France and is commemorated annually to mark the storming of the Bastille, a fortress in Paris used by the French monarchy as a political prison.

It is is the national day of France and is commemorated annually to mark the storming of the Bastille, a fortress in Paris used by the French monarchy as a political prison

On July 14, 1789, approximately 900 French citizens stormed the fort and ultimately captured it, dealing a devastating symbolic and strategic blow to the country's monarchy and sparking the broader French Revolution which ultimately toppled the monarchy which had ruled the nation for centuries

On July 14, 1789, approximately 900 French citizens stormed the fort and ultimately captured it, dealing a devastating symbolic and strategic blow to the country's monarchy and sparking the broader French Revolution which ultimately toppled the monarchy which had ruled the nation for centuries.

It ultimately marked the turning point as France transitioned from monarchy to republic, something commemorated every year on the anniversary of the Bastille's seizure by the French people.

The origins of modern Bastille Day celebrations reportedly date back to the late 19th century.

A national feast was held to honour the French republic back in 1878 while the day was made a national holiday two years later in 1800 at the behest of politician Benjamin Raspail.

Pioneers of the Foreign Legion regiment march during the traditional Bastille Day military parade march in front of world leaders

Naval firefighters of Marseille march during the Bastille Day military parade

The most notable modern celebration of Bastille Day is the famed Bastille Day Military Parade, which takes place in Paris on the morning of the holiday.

The parade, the largest and oldest regular military parade in all of Europe, is held on the Champs-Élysées between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. The parade is attended by the President of France and various foreign ambassadors and other dignitaries.

Other prominent celebrations include flyovers by the French Air Force and fireworks at the iconic Eiffel Tower on the night of the holiday.

In addition to the jubilant celebrations that take place in Paris and other French cities and towns, a number of notable one-time celebrations have also occurred over the years.

Macron will later host a lunch at the Elysee Palace with other European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.