France's Bastille Day parade meets the Olympic torch relay in an exceptional year

PARIS (AP) — Paris hosted an extra-special guest for France’s national holiday Sunday — the Olympic flame lighting up the city’s grandiose military parade for Bastille Day.

Just 12 days before the French capital hosts exceptionally ambitious and high-security Summer Games, the torch relay joined up with thousands of soldiers, sailors, rescuers and medics marching in Paris beneath roaring fighter jets. And the day wrapped up with a spectacular Olympic-themed light show at the Eiffel Tower.

Here's a look at what the holiday’s about, and what’s different this year: