Tribute with Eiffel Tower in Brazilian colors marks the end of Lula’s first day on State visit to France

The first day of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s State visit to France ended with a special tribute to Brazil at the European country’s most iconic landmark. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was illuminated in green and yellow, a nod to the presence of the Brazilian delegation in France. “Tonight, the Eiffel Tower wears the colors of Brazil,” Lula wrote in a post on social media. In the photo with the monument in the background, Lula appears alongside First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, French President Emmanuel Macron, and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron.

Brazilian President Lula had a full agenda this Thursday, June 5. The day began with an official reception on the Esplanade des Invalides, in a welcoming ceremony, followed by a wide-ranging bilateral meeting with Emmanuel Macron and a joint press statement at the Palais Élysée. Among the highlights of the Brazilian leader’s remarks were an optimistic outlook on finalizing the European Union–Mercosur agreement and his stance on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

In the afternoon, Lula was honored by the Académie Française, held a meeting with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and spoke with members of the Brazilian community in France. In the early evening, he attended a State dinner hosted by the French government.

RESUMPTION – Lula’s visit is the first by a Brazilian head of State to France in 13 years and is part of a broader process of resuming relations between the two nations, which began in 2023 and was highlighted by Macron’s visit to Brazil last year. This is President Lula’s third State visit to the European country. The previous visits took place in 2005, during Jacques Chirac’s administration, and in 2009, under Nicolas Sarkozy.

SIGNATURES – “We discussed a broad bilateral agenda. The more than 20 instruments signed today reflect the diversity and depth of our relationship,” said the Brazilian President. “We share the same worldview, a humanism dedicated to progress. We reaffirmed our partnership in addressing major global challenges,” Macron stressed.

AGENDA – On Friday, the President’s schedule remains busy. Early in the French morning, at 9:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. in Brazil), Lula will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Paris 8 University. Next, he will visit the exhibition “Our Drum Boat Earth” by Ernesto Neto, accompanied by Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte. Around noon in Paris, Lula will attend the ceremony in which the World Organisation for Animal Health will certify Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. In the afternoon, he will take part in the closing session of the Brazil–France Business Forum and hold bilateral meetings.

TRADE – France is the third-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Brazil, with a stock of USD 66.34 billion. In 2024, bilateral trade between Brazil and France reached USD 9.1 billion, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year. It is estimated that over 1,000 French companies operate in Brazil, directly generating around 500,000 jobs in the Brazilian market.

CULTURE – In 2025, Brazil and France will celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations. In addition to the State visit to France, the bicentennial will be marked by a series of cross-cultural seasons. More than 300 events are planned as part of the Brazil–France Year 2025, which has already begun and will run through September. The France–Brazil Year 2025 will take place from September to December.