Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Carolyn Kaster
Nice anniversary

Trump says US friendship with France 'unbreakable' as he prepares to attend Bastille Day parade

Yesterday evening the two couples dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Eiffel Tower.

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump said that ties between the United States and France were “unbreakable” after a warm meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“The friendship between our two nations and ourselves is unbreakable,” Trump said after talks focused on joint US-French efforts to fight terrorism in the Middle East and Africa.

French President Emmanuel Macron will attend a Bastille Day military parade today alongside his American counterpart Donald Trump, before marking the first anniversary of a deadly terror attack in Nice.

France has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when 130 people were slaughtered in a wave of coordinated violence across Paris.

Macron office said he will give a short speech at the start of the parade to evoke the spirit of a national holiday even though it coincides with the Nice assault’s anniversary.

President Trump's Visit - Meeting At The Elysee - Paris French President Emmanuel Macron and US counterpart Donald Trump Liewig Christian / ABACA Liewig Christian / ABACA / ABACA

“This is a wonderful national celebration,” said Trump during a joint news conference with Macron, adding, “We look very much forward to it. Spectacular.”

Our two nations are forever joined together by the spirit of revolution and the fight for freedom.

‘You’re in such great shape… beautiful’

Yesterday the US First Lady Melania Trump toured Notre Dame cathedral with her French counterpart Brigitte Macron, stopping to pray before a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The 47-year-old practising Catholic was in Paris at the start of a Bastille Day visit by the US first couple.

Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron arrive to visit Notre Dame Cathedrale - Paris United States First Lady Melania Trump and French First Lady Brigitte Macron arrive to visit Notre Dame Cathedrale Pool / ABACA Pool / ABACA / ABACA

Security forces kept tourists and passers-by, smartphones in hand, at a distance as Trump and Macron arrived at the soaring Gothic landmark in the heart of the French capital.

The pair took in the highlights of the sanctuary with its rector Patrick Chauvet as their guide. They then boarded a boat for a cruise on the Seine river.

In the morning Trump visited the Necker Sick Children’s hospital, meeting several patients and encouraging them with comments such as “good luck” and “stay strong”.

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump in Paris US First Lady Melania Trump greets a young patient Andrea Hanks Andrea Hanks

At the official start of the visit, the Macrons and Trumps had toured Napoleon’s tomb at the Invalides military complex.

There, the US president complimented 64-year-old Brigitte Macron, saying, “You know, you’re in such great shape… beautiful.”

Guardian Wires / YouTube

Yesterday evening the two couples dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Eiffel Tower.

Alain Ducasse, 60, who has won a total of 21 Michelin stars for his restaurants dotted across the globe, told AFP that he wanted to “share a certain idea of French gastronomy” there when he opened it in 2007.

France Trump French chef Alain Ducasse gestures as, Brigitte Macron, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and Melania Trump gather for dinner. Yves Herman Yves Herman

The Eiffel Tower dinner is a rare departure from the established tradition of visiting heads being entertained at the Elysee Palace, the official residence of French presidents.

The Michelin guide calls the restaurant “the summit of French heritage” even though it only gives it one of three possible stars for its food.

The decision to host Trump at Paris’s most famous tourist landmark is seen as part of a charm offensive by Macron to build bridges with the US leader, who has often looked isolated on the international stage.

© AFP 2017

Read: French court bans magazine from publishing ‘obscene’ Nice attack images on 1-year anniversary>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
44
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.