The pyrotechnics show in Paris saw 300 projectors bathe the Eiffel Tower in light the colours of soldiers' uniforms to pay homage to the millions who lost their lives during the conflict.
It was held as simultaneous displays lit up towns and cities all over the country.
Earlier soldiers marched in the distinctive blue uniform of France's First World War army down the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe in tribute to the dead.
The French government had invited troops from 76 countries who were all involved in the conflict, regardless of which side they fought on.
Spectacular: Fireworks explode around the Eiffel Tower during the annual Bastille Day celebrations in Paris
The French National Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille fortress and prison on July 14, 1789
Bastille Day fireworks explode over the Seine river next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris (left) and over the pond and the old town of Gruissan, southern France (right)
Bastille Day commemorates the storming by Parisians of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, setting off the French Revolution that toppled King Louis XVI and put an end to monarchy
Fireworks burst over the pond and the old town of Gruissan, southern France, as part of the country's annual Bastille Day celebrations
The pyrotechnics show in Paris saw 300 projectors bathe the Eiffel Tower in light the colours of soldiers' uniforms
The symbolic gesture was intended as a powerful symbol of peace and to remember the sacrifice of those killed and wounded in the war.
President Francois Hollande said: 'Ten million soldiers were killed or died of their injuries on countless battlefields. We owe them gratitude,' President Francois Hollande said in a message ahead of the march.
The message took on special meaning amid renewed violence in Gaza and Iraq, and as French troops fight extremists in Africa.
Three soldiers of each of the 76 countries marched along the cobblestones in their national dress uniform.
Surrounding them were rows of French troops in sky-blue period uniforms of the 'Poilus,' the name given to French infantrymen of World War I.
The ceremony echoed the first celebration of Bastille Day after the end of what was then known as 'The Great War,' in 1919.
Nine jets form the French Air Force scream over the Arc de Triomphe as part of the celebrations for Bastille Day releasing smoke in the colours of the French flag
French President Francois Hollande, left, stands beside the French Army's chief of staff general Pierre de Villiers, right as they review troops along the Champs Elysees
Historian Antoine Prost said: 'The war's wounded were at the forefront of the parade in their wheelchairs ... We celebrated the greatness of the French military by putting first the most visible victims,' recalled historian Antoine Prost.
A French army choir interpreted two popular songs of the Poilus - one telling the story of soldiers flirting with a pretty waitress in a tavern - before raising their voices in the national anthem, 'La Marseillaise.'
While young people from all invited countries closed Monday's ceremony with a peace dance and a release of doves, the annual event is also about demonstrating France's military might.
President Hollande, pictured, said that more than ten million troops died across countless battlefields during four-year long conflict: 'We owe them gratitude,' he said
Three British soliders were among the 76 nations who took part in today's Bastille Day parade celebrations marking the anniversary of the storming of the Paris prison.
More than 3,700 soldiers, 50 aircraft, 280 military vehicles and 240 horses of the French national guard participated in the parade, which paid homage to forces serving overseas.
France currently has a strong military presence in Africa with 3,000 soldiers in the Sahel region of northern Africa fighting extremists, and 2,000 in Central African Republic trying to help quell sectarian violence.
Among the international visitors marched representatives of former French colonies, paying homage to the 600,000 colonial soldiers who served on France's side during World War I, mainly from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal.
All those who lost lives in Europe during the war were invited, no matter what was then the status of the territories at the time, the French president's office explained, in an effort to quash an emerging controversy over the presence of Algerian soldiers.
Some members of the French far right and Algerian independence movement objected to their presence, because memories of Algeria's war for independence remain painful on both sides of the Mediterranean a half-century later.
Bastille Day marks the July 14, 1789, storming of the Bastille prison by angry Paris crowds that helped spark the French Revolution.
The French capital will enjoy a fireworks show Monday night, exceptionally fired from the Eiffel Tower.
Festive balls - often mixing old-fashioned accordion tunes with trendy dance music - and fireworks are also held all over the country. And the tradition has stretched beyond French borders, with parties from New Orleans to Australia and beyond.
Two French Rafale fighter aircraft fly in tight formation on the wing of a Boeing C135 refueling tanker before approaching Paris for the flypast
The Boeing C135 refueling tanker led the five ship formation towards the Champs Elysee as part of today's Bastille Day celebrations
The Alpha jets of the French Air Force wow the crowds as they maintain a tight formation above the Arc de Triomphe.
French President Francois Hollande invited soldiers from 76 different countries who were all involved in the First World War to participate in today's colourful parade
All arms of the French military were involved in this parade including these students from the Air Force's special school.
President Hollande said it was important that all participant nations in the First World War including these Greek soliders should take part in today's parade
An impressive range of military transport helicopters and gun ships flew in formation through the heart of Paris as part of the festivities
