France has stepped up security for the visit of world leaders this weekend for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings of World War Two.
Measures taken by the French authorities include imposing a no-fly zone over the Normandy beaches in northern France. The Normandy beaches are where Allied troops came ashore on June 6th, 1944.
Four thousand troops and an extra 1,000 police have been mobilised under the Vigipirate security plan, which will be raised to the maximum level - scarlet - from June 4th, ahead of the arrival of dignitaries, thousands of war veterans and media.
The more than a dozen world leaders due to attend the festivities include US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the monarchs of Britain, Norway and The Netherlands.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will also be present, the first time a serving German leader will attend the ceremonies.
France raised security at major airports and railway stations to level red in March, following the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin has said France faces no specific security threat but that international events increased risks - a veiled reference to the situation in Iraq.
Demonstrations have been banned for a week in a central Paris area that includes the Elysee presidential palace, the prime minister's official Matignon office and the US Embassy near Place de la Concorde.
Three demonstrations against US policy in Iraq planned for June 5th will be kept away from the security zone.
Security has also been tightened at museums, galleries, major department stores and cinemas across the capital. Left-luggage facilities have been suspended at major train stations and authorities increased surveillance of the drinking water supply.