France marks ANZAC Day amid virus restrictions

A traditional Anzac Day service at the Villers-Brettonneux Australian Memorial in France was cancelled on Saturday - so the town's deputy mayor organised a commemoration of his own.

The annual dawn service couldn't go ahead because of the coronavirus lockdown.

But Benoit Decottegnie, the deputy mayor of Villers-Brettonneux, turned up at the memorial just before sunrise and placed flowers at its main monument, before proceeding to pay tribute by playing the trumpet and the French and Australian national anthems.

Decottegnie said authorities were aware of his gesture, adding that while they did not endorse it, they understood that such gestures were likely in parts of France with strong links to Australia.

"Villiers is very, very important for Australians. I know that they are moved by this day and I took this initiative for that reason and I hope that I won't be blamed," he said.

Later in the day, Decottegnie also laid a wreath at another monument in the town centre, honouring Anzac victims who died in France and Belgium.

A small but official Anzac ceremony was also held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where Australian troops laid flowers for the victims.

Anzac Day commemorates more than 10,000 soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who were killed during World War I.

(Representative Image)