French President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris’ Champs-Elysees Monday commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945.
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron, left, followed by Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, visits the WWII Monluc prison, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Lyon. President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris' Champs-Elysees commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. In Lyon, Macron is paying tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron is visiting Montluc prison, where Moulin was detained and tortured by the Gestapo. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool)
AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech at the WWII Monluc prison, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Lyon. President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris' Champs-Elysees commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. In Lyon, Macron is paying tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool)
AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with officials Monday, May 8, 2023 as he arrives at the WWII Montluc prison, outside Lyon. President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris' Champs-Elysees commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. In Lyon, Macron is paying tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron is visiting Montluc prison, where Moulin was detained and tortured by the Gestapo. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool)
AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, Pool
APTOPIX France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron touches the national flag at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe, during ceremonies marking Victory Day, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron reviews the troops during ceremonies marking Victory Day, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron revives the flame at the Unkown Soldier tomb under the Arc de de Triomphe during ceremonies marking Victory Day, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron lays a wreath of flowers at the Unkown Soldier tomb under the Arc de de Triomphe during ceremonies marking Victory Day, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron pays tribute by the statue of the General de Gaulle as he attends the ceremonies marking the 78th anniversary of the victory against the Nazis and the end of the World War II in Europe, in Paris, Monday, May 8, 2023. Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)
Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron pays tribute by the statue of the General de Gaulle as he attends the ceremonies marking the 78th anniversary of the victory against the Nazis and the end of the World War II in Europe, in Paris, Monday, May 8, 2023. Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)
Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP
France Victory Day French President Emmanuel Macron, center, pays tribute at the Unkown Soldier tomb under the Arc de de Triomphe during ceremonies marking Victory Day, Monday, May 8, 2023 in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron presides over ceremonies in Paris and Lyon celebrating victory over the Nazis and commemorating victims of the Holocaust and French resistance fighters in World War II. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris’ Champs-Elysees Monday, commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945.
Flanked by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Macron laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe monument. A brass band played the Marseillaise.
To limit disruptions amid ongoing opposition to Macron and his contested pension reforms, police banned gatherings around the area of the ceremony in the French capital, and in Lyon where the president traveled later in the day.
In Lyon, several streets were closed to traffic, some parking was prohibited and public transport disrupted.
Authorities are being vigilant to ensure that a “casserolade” or the loud banging of pots and pans in protest will not distract from the memorial ceremonies.
In Lyon, Macron paid to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron visited Montluc prison, where Moulin was detained and tortured by the Gestapo.
Unions called for protests in some authorized zones of Lyon, where the sound of clanking pots and pans echoed despite police restrictions. Authorities dispersed the rowdiest elements of the protest with tear gas.
