France, the epicentre of the first global conflict, hosted the main international commemoration with about 70 world leaders gathering at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at 10:00 GMT to mark the milestone moment.
The French president lit the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and gave a speech commemorating the armistice 100 years ago that ended the first world war.
In his speech, he spoke of the futility of the war and promoted his multilateral vision of the world in the face of that of other leaders who increasingly look inwards.
Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler reports.
