Quentin Fillon Maillet flies with the Patrouille de France

Paris – July 13, 2026: French biathlete Quentin Fillon Maillet fulfilled a childhood dream by flying in an Alpha Jet of the Patrouille de France for a television report. The footage will air on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, during France Télévisions’ special coverage of France’s National Day. Fillon Maillet will appear as an honorary guest of the broadcaster and be a focus of the broadcast.

The flight was recorded on May 14 at Albert-Méaulte Airport in the Somme department. For the elite athlete, the preparation process provided a close look at how the formation operates; it represents France at air shows and official ceremonies in France and abroad. The report, now released, focuses on this activity and will be broadcast to a wide television audience on National Day.

The Patrouille de France is part of the French Air and Space Force and is based at Air Base 701 in Salon-de-Provence. Its main role is to showcase French aviation and military flying to the public. According to the Ministry of Defence, the July 14 parade flypast will be carried out by a formation of nine Alpha Jets.

The flight carrying a guest passenger differs from the official parade. Fillon Maillet completed the flight for the television production in May, while the aerobatic team will take part in the official aerial parade in Paris on July 14. The Patrouille de France traditionally opens the flypast over the Champs-Élysées with blue, white and red smoke trails.

France Télévisions has announced a major live program for National Day. Coverage is expected to begin early in the morning, following the arrival of the units, the military parade and the aerial segment. In addition to Fillon Maillet, customs personnel will also appear. The biathlete has been a reservist with the service since 2015 and has described the unit as a particularly important source of moral support.

Fillon Maillet is one of the most successful French biathletes of his generation. Flying with the Patrouille de France connects his identity as an elite athlete with an extraordinary experience in a military setting. For the flight team, the television report also provides an additional opportunity to introduce a broad audience to its work, technical preparations and the importance of demonstration flights.

The Paris parade on July 14, 2026, will focus on strengthening Europe’s strategic capabilities. The Ministry of Defence expects tens of thousands of participants and spectators along the Champs-Élysées. The report on Quentin Fillon Maillet is not part of the official flight program, but a pre-produced profile segment that will be included in the national live broadcast.