National Day, July 14, 2026, is celebrated in Colmar with an official ceremony that takes place at the Square of the Martyrs of the Resistance and Rue Cles. The program includes an interfaith prayer service, taking up arms, presentation of awards and a military parade. Festive events will begin on July 13 at 15:00. with a sponsorship ceremony, before the main ceremony on July 14 from 10:30.
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July 14th comes to Rue Cles: Colmar celebrates National Day with great pomp
Annually July 14 offers the opportunity to unite residents and visitors around the values of the Republic. In Colmar, the ceremony is held around two iconic places in the city center: Square of the Martyrs of the Resistancewhere interfaith prayer is held, and rue de Clesscene of taking weapons and parade. Thus, the city of Alsace, in an atmosphere rich in history, celebrates this national day with solemnity and fervour.
The ceremony opens with a moment of contemplation in the Square of the Martyrs of the Resistance. interfaith prayer were carried by representatives of four religious denominations. Each carries a message of peace and brotherhood, giving this moment both an intimate and universal dimension. This moment of discovery reflects the values of unity that the Grand Est region, deeply marked by its history, has cultivated for decades.
The ceremony continues on Rue de Cles. presentation of military awards. Spotlight on eight recipients: four receive Military medal (Major Pierre-Robert Piccard, Chief Warrant Officer Fortuné Martinez, Chief Warrant Officer Christophe Perez and Warrant Officer Mathieu David) and four receiveBadge of the National Order of Merit (Squadron Leader Sandra Lotz, Captain Pascal Erdecht, Major Jerome Chaffard and Pastor Samuel Chevalier-Millo). Find other National Day events in Colmar to complete your program on July 14th.
Military and civil parade worthy of the event
The parade follows the route from Rue Kleber towards Rue de Cles and brings together a remarkable ensemble of civilian and military participants. At the head of the procession, music of the Chadian Marching Regiment opens the march, followed by the flagship and 1st battle company 152nd Infantry Regiment. This formation sets the tone for the parade, which is both solemn and spectacular, true to republican traditions.
The procession is also attended by representatives of numerous bodies dealing with security and public service issues on a daily basis:
- A squad of prison staff from center of Mulhouse-Lutterbach
- Platoon from gendarmerie cadets
- Squad municipal politics of Colmar
- 3 knights Brigade Verte
- Chapter 40 young volunteer firefighters from SIS 68.
- Motorcycle squad from national gendarmerie (EDCF)
- Squad 10 fire engines
- 8 collector cars
- About thirty Marines du BRF Jacques Stosskopf
The ceremony ends with a performance Marseillaise to the music of the Chadian Marching Regiment, an event that officially concludes the 14th of July celebrations in Colmar. The day before, Monday, July 13, at 15:00.a related event worth noting: the sponsorship ceremony between the city of Colmar and BRF Jacques Stosskopfwith the signing of an official document and speeches is held in Little Venice Bridgein front of the covered market, on the Rue des Ecoles and the Quai Poissonnerie.
How to get to Martyrs of the Resistance Square and Cles Street in Colmar?
The ceremony on July 14 will take place in the heart of ColmarSquare of the Martyrs of the Resistance and Kles Street. These central arteries can be reached on foot from Colmar Station in about ten minutes. If you come by car, there are parking lots near the city center, in particular at the town hall or at Augustin. Please plan your route as some streets may be closed during the ceremony.
The public is invited to position themselves along Rue de Cleix.in the direction of Rue Kléber towards Rue de Cles to follow the parade in better conditions. City public transport also allows easy access to the center from different parts of the city. To find out about the sponsorship ceremony on July 13th, click here at the Little Venice Bridgewhich is easily accessible from the historical center of Colmar.
Our advice: favor walking from Colmar train station to the city center. This is the easiest and most practical way to avoid traffic jams associated with the ceremony and fully enjoy the atmosphere of the 14th of July on the streets of Colmar.