The World Cup-winning French team returned home to a heroes' welcome today as hundreds of thousands packed the Champs Elysees for their victory parade ahead of a presidential reception in the evening.
France overcame a determined Croatia team to win 4-2 in Sunday's final, with teenager Kylian Mbappe applying the coup de grace and cementing his place as a new global superstar at the age of just 19.
Millions of fans in France celebrated into the night, honking car horns and flying the tricolour flag while the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were lit up in the national colours of blue, white and red.
Crowds began converging early Monday on the Champs Elysees, the gathering point for all national celebrations, for a parade by the team atop an electric bus expected to start in the early evening.
"We're so proud of this team, they have truly become our players," said Priscilla Lagneaux, 28, who was waiting with friends under a wilting sun on the avenue.
"We had to see them, and also the Cup."
- 'Champions of the world' -
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"We're going to say thank you!" said Sacha, one of the young players already at the palace. "I don't regret not going on vacation this summer."
- 'Extraordinary soccer' -
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