Bastille Day: Carla Bruni Sarkozy hosts African first ladies

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, welcomes the president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, at the Elysee Palace. Half a century after gaining independence, 13 African countries were invited to parade with French troops to mark Bastille Day Photograph: Trago/Getty Images

The French first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and Lobbo Traore Toure, the Malian first lady Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Bruni-Sarkozy with the first ladies of 10 African countries Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

Sarkozy kisses the hand of Bruni-Sarkozy, surrounded by the first ladies of African countries Photograph: Eric Feferberg/Reuters

Tanks get ready to take part in the Bastille Day parade by the Arc de Triomphe Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

Republican Guard soldiers at the start of the parade Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Sarkozy, flanked by Cameroon's president, Paul Biya, Burkina Faso's president, Blaise Compaore, and the prime minister, Francois Fillon, wait before the start of the Bastille Day Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Bruni-Sarkozy attends the parade in Paris Photograph: Bertrand Langlois/AFP/Getty Images

Pioneers from the French foreign legion take part in the annual Bastille Day parade Photograph: Bertrand Langlois/AFP/Getty Images

Sarkozy waves to the public as he reviews the troops while travelling along the Champs Elysees in Paris Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

French navy personnel in the Bastille Day parade Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images

(Left to right): The Congolese first lady, Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso, the Cameroon first lady, Chantal Biya, Bruni-Sarkozy and the Burkina Fasso first lady, Chantal Campaore Photograph: Christophe Karaba/EPA

Sarkozy listens to a military brass band Photograph: Eric Feferberg/EPA

Nine Alphajets from the French air force Patrouille de France release trails of red, white and blue smoke as they fly over Place de la Concorde Photograph: Eric Feferberg/Reuters

African troops hold flags on the Champs Elysees Photograph: Francois Mori/AP

A French military band stands in heavy rain during the Bastille Day parade Photograph: Francois Mori/AP