France has staged a large-scale parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Floats, giant dragons and thousands of marchers thronged the Champs Elysees avenue in the heart of Paris on Saturday to ring in the Year of the Monkey. French police say at least 100,000 people were on hand to witness some 50 floats along with acrobats, dancers and jugglers.
The parade marked both the Chinese New Year and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and China.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is due to start a three-day state visit to France on Monday.