Quentin Fillon Maillet flies alongside the Patrouille de France

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

The flight was filmed from 14 May at Albert-Méaulte Airport in the Somme department. For the elite athlete, the preparations provided an opportunity to learn firsthand about the work of a formation representing France at air shows and official ceremonies in France and abroad. The newly released feature therefore highlights content expected to be presented 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 mission is to present French aviation and military flying activities to the public. According to the Ministry of Defence, the formation flying over during the 14 July parade is expected to include nine Alpha Jets.

The presence of a guest passenger must be distinguished from the official parade. Fillon Maillet took the flight for the television program in May, while the aerobatic team will take part in the official air display in Paris on 14 July. Traditionally, the Patrouille de France opens the flypast over the Champs-Elysées with the three colors blue, white and red.

France Télévisions has announced extensive live coverage for National Day. Coverage is expected to begin early in the morning, following the arrival of units, the military parade and the aerial display. In addition to Fillon Maillet, members of the customs service will also be featured. The biathlete has been a reserve serviceman there since 2015 and considers the unit a particularly important connection.

Fillon Maillet is one of the most successful French biathletes of his generation. The flight with the Patrouille de France connects his role as an elite athlete with a special experience in a military environment. For the team, the television feature is also another opportunity to explain their work, technical preparations and the significance of display flying to a broad public.

The military parade in Paris on 14 July 2026 has the theme of strengthening Europe’s strategy. The Ministry of Defence expects tens of thousands of participants and spectators along the Champs-Elysées. The feature on Quentin Fillon Maillet is not part of the official flying program, but rather a pre-produced portrait integrated into the nationwide television broadcast.