PSG Celebrates Historic Champions League Triumph on the Champs-Élysées, Over 100,000 fans
Over 100,000 fans join parade; team honored by President Macron amid citywide celebrations
Paris Saint-Germain’s long-awaited UEFA Champions League title sparked unprecedented celebrations in the French capital this Sunday (June 1). Less than 24 hours after a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich, PSG players returned home to a hero’s welcome headlined by a vibrant parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées.
The Parade: Paris Turns Blue and Red
By early afternoon, crowds were already surging into the “most beautiful avenue in the world” in anticipation. Access to the Champs-Élysées was officially opened just after 2 PM local time, and by 5:25 PM, the double-decker buses carrying PSG’s heroes began their slow journey through a sea of cheering supporters.
According to local authorities, more than 100,000 fans took part in the celebrations singing, waving flags, and chanting alongside the players. Defenders like Presnel Kimpembe, a homegrown talent, took the mic to lead club anthems from atop the bus, igniting scenes of pure euphoria across the avenue.
Historic Moment for French Football
PSG’s title wasn’t just a club milestone it was also only the second UEFA Champions League title ever won by a French club (after Marseille in 1993). The final drew 11.8 million viewers on French television, a testament to the magnitude of the moment.
Macron Hosts PSG at Élysée Palace
Following the parade, the squad was received at the Élysée Palace by President Emmanuel Macron, a noted Olympique de Marseille supporter. In a diplomatic and unifying gesture, Macron praised PSG’s achievement:
“You have really achieved a feat. This is the victory of a whole team united, with team spirit, solidarity and ambition. This is the football we like to see.”
He also addressed the isolated acts of violence that marred parts of the celebrations, condemning the disturbances while maintaining a tone of overall pride in the team’s success.
Celebrations Marred by Tragedy
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, events were overshadowed by violence and tragedy in some parts of the country. According to the Interior Ministry:
- 559 arrests were made nationwide
- 254 in pre-trial detention in Paris alone
- In Dax, a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed during local celebrations
- In Paris, a 20-year-old scooter rider died after being hit by a car during the festivities
PSG issued a statement on Sunday condemning the violence:
“These isolated acts go against the values of the club and do not represent the vast majority of our fans.”
What’s Next: Trophy Presentation at Parc des Princes
While Sunday’s parade electrified the city, PSG fans still have one more chance to see their champions up close. A trophy presentation at the Parc des Princes is scheduled in the coming days, where fans can officially celebrate the team’s crowning moment on home turf.
