Music fans dance during the ninth Techno-Parade in Paris
© AFP Jean AyissiPARIS (AFP) - From 1:15 pm (1115 GMT), a colorful and ear-splitting six-kilometer (3.7-mile) procession of 20 floats decked out with enormous sound systems, tireless dancers and famous DJs snaked its way around the route from and back to the Bastille.
According to the organisers, nearly 400,000 people took part in the parade, and police reported no incidents.
The event's organisers, Technopol, this year invited a non-governmental organisation, Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) as guest of honour, declaring the parade was doing its bit with "son contre la faim" (sound against hunger).
French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres started the parade off with an appeal for a reconciliation between sometimes warring techno fans and local authorities.
"In France today, you have to know how to reach out. No one should feel excluded. Techno music has freedom of the city in the hearts of young people," the minister said, arguing that techno should be "better understood."
In a letter addressed to Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, the right-wing presidential hopeful, Technopol attacked confusion among authorities over differences between raves, techno evenings and "teknivals."
"We have not had a response yet," said Christophe Vix-Gras, Technopol president.
Following the parade, the party was set to continue in numerous Paris nightclubs such as Le Bataclan for an official "after" party organized by Radio FG, a pioneer in the techo scene.
©AFP