Var maritime units honored on the Champs-Élysées
Several Marine nationale units based in Toulon, Hyères, and Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer paraded in Paris for July 14.
On the occasion of the traditional military parade on the avenue des Champs-Élysées, which celebrated the 400 years of the Marine nationale, many sailors from the forces established in Var were honored.
Clearance divers, submariners, student sailors, and helicopter pilots represented the expertise of Mediterranean units.
Distinguished divers and submariners
Among the units particularly distinguished this year is the Mediterranean clearance diver group (GPD), based in Toulon. Composed of 70 sailors, including 32 specialized divers, this group is recognized for its recent participation in the reassurance mission on Europe's Eastern flank.
Its missions cover a broad spectrum, from mine warfare to the neutralization of explosive devices up to 80 meters deep. Forty of its members, led by capitaine de corvette Pierre, paraded in Paris.
The blue crew of the nuclear attack submarine (SNA) de Grasse was also present. Fourth in the series of "Suffren" class SNAs, the vessel is currently in its testing phase in Toulon ahead of its admission to active service in late 2026.
Commanded by capitaine de frégate Owen, the 65 sailors of the crew paraded alongside the flag of the submarine forces.
The École des matelots, a first participation
The École des matelots participated in the Parisian parade. Established in Cherbourg and Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, this institution trains 2,000 young recruits every year in the fundamentals of the sailor profession.
The 54 students from Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer were commanded by capitaine de frégate Pascal. This participation marked their symbolic entry into the military community before joining their future assignments.
The naval aviation of Hyères out in force
The naval aviation base of Hyères was doubly represented. The Flottille 31F, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026, operates the Caïman Marine helicopter, a versatile aircraft capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare and counter-terrorism missions. Twenty-two of its sailors, under the command of capitaine de frégate Pierre-Jean Larroque, marched on the Parisian pavement.
They were followed by 23 sailors from the Flottille 36F, commanded by capitaine de frégate Charles Cottenet. This flotilla, which operates Panther helicopters and S-100 drones, distinguished itself in the Red Sea by destroying a Houthi drone off the coast of Yemen. It performs surveillance, counter-trafficking, and special forces support missions.
The fusiliers marins celebrate 170 years of history
Created on June 5, 1856, under Napoléon III, the specialty of fusilier marin celebrates its 170th anniversary. These soldiers, responsible for protecting sensitive sites of the Marine and supporting naval operations, paraded in a single block of 64 fusiliers.
At their head was capitaine de frégate Yannick, commander of the fusiliers marins battalion Détroyat, based in Toulon.
Finally, detachments representing the operational surveillance and territorial information training units (FOSIT), which operate the coastal semaphores, as well as the operational reserve flotillas, completed the maritime forces based in the Mediterranean.
Article from the paper edition of La Gazette du Var