President Prabowo Arrives at Les Invalides in Paris
President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Les Invalides in Paris, France, on Thursday afternoon, 28 May 2026, local time. The state visit welcome ceremony was streamed live via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube account.
President Prabowo was seen riding in a white Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. Upon arrival at Les Invalides, the Head of State was greeted by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Prabowo was dressed in a grey suit with a dark blue tie and a black songkok, with sunglasses perched on his head.
Prabowo and Lecornu then walked in unison towards the honour guard. The national anthems of both countries were played, with Prabowo standing to attention during ‘Indonesia Raya’ and ‘La Marseillaise’.
Following this, the two leaders moved towards their respective delegations across the way. Prabowo introduced members of the Red and White Cabinet accompanying him on the visit, including Foreign Minister Sugiono, Danantara Investment Management Agency CEO Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel TNI Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Indonesian Ambassador to France Mohamad Oemar. Also present was Prabowo’s son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo, known as Didit.
Prabowo had previously arrived in Paris on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, landing at Orly Airport around 09:50 local time. The visit coincided with Eid al-Adha 1447 AH.
The following day, Gerindra Party Chairman performed Eid al-Adha prayers at the Indonesian Embassy’s Wisma Indonesia in the capital city.
Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that President Prabowo’s visit to France was to accept an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Sugiono, Macron’s invitation had been delayed due to previous scheduling conflicts.
“This was an invitation from President Macron that had previously been delayed. Back in April, we had hoped to hold the visit, but the timing wasn’t suitable,” Sugiono said on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, in a video statement.
The Gerindra Party Secretary-General added that President Macron had reissued the invitation. Sugiono claimed Macron proposed a new date which was ultimately agreed upon.
“During the leaders’ previous meeting, President Macron again extended the invitation and proposed the current date,” he said.
Sugiono explained that the visit to France was considered necessary as the invitation had been extended twice. He stated that the state visit was a reciprocal gesture following Macron’s earlier visit to Indonesia. “Since it was the second time the invitation was made, President Prabowo accepted and is now in Paris,” he added.