Bastille Day in Paris

Bonjour tout le monde!
France's national holiday is July 14.  We call it Bastille Day in the USA, but to the French, it's just the 14th of July.  The weather is usually very nice, the trees are full of green leaves, and the French are ready to have fun.
There are many activities leading up to July 14.  The day before, on July 13, the firemen open the firehouse doors to Parisians and tourists alike, and there is dancing in the streets.  Other streets are full of revelers who dance to live music, sit at cafes, and just enjoy the energetic atmosphere.
There is even a chance to get some artistic culture, as the Louvre is not only open, but free to all.  See the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, the French crown jewels (from Napoleon III), plus some awesome Egyptian relics. For. Free.  And the Louvre isn't the only free thing in Paris.  You can see a free dance performance at the Opera Garnier, or go see the Alvin Ailey group (which might not be free, but I know how you can find out).
The biggest happening is the military parade that goes down the Champs-Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, where there are stands for special guests and dignitaries.  If you want to see the parade, be prepared to be on your feet, and to wait for several hours. But I bet that it is one of those things that might be better on television!  If you get close, be sure to look up and see the "Patrouille", France's Blue Angel flight group.  They fly wingtip to wingtip, trailing the colors of the French flag - blue, white and red - 3 planes each color.  Then there are the vintage planes from WWII, newer jet fighters, state of the art helicopters, you name it!  Bringing up the rear of the parade are the firefighters, marching in sync in reflective boots.  Perhaps you'll spot the guys that you danced with the night before?
If you want to see how the French celebrate their national holiday?  Join me in Paris (and then in Barcelona) for 9 days, July10-18, 2016.
To see more about what July 14 activites, click here.
To book your spot on an awesome tour to Paris and Barcelona, click here.  Don't overthink this - just $300 reserves your spot. See you at the airport!

July 14th fireworks (in Lyon)

14 July

Bonjour tout le monde!
Tomorrow is 14 July, France's national holiday.  Here in the States, we call it Bastille Day, but mention that to a French person, and you will get a blank stare, or perhaps a frown.  No matter.  Fêtons le 14 juillet!
In 2008, my husband and I were in Paris during that time.  I forced him to attend the parade which goes down the Champs-Elysées seemingly forever.  The roof tops of the buildings are all full of sharp shooters protecting the participants and the throngs of onlookers.
The groups of military school cadets that march in the parade are lined up on the sides of the Boulevard des Champs Elysées ready to join in the parade, and since we were about half way between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde (where the reviewing stand of the President and other dignitaries), we missed the first groups, including the Foreign Legionnaires...  Just before the parade, the President of the French Republic reviews all the troops while riding in an open jeep (hence, all the sharpshooters).
I loved the parade, all the people who were in the streets laughing and talking with the parade participants - who were almost all some sort of military - and walking around a Paris that was about half empty.  The fly over by the planes who left the contrails of blue, white and red was just like you see in all the videos, but it so much more impressive in real life.  Then, you get the other jets and helicopters - it's a parade in the air and on the ground!
In 2010, I spent 14 July in Lyon.  There might have been a parade, but I didn't see it.  However, there was the coolest street fair that went on for about a mile.  Three different stages with bands, people dancing to the music, places to buy all sorts of really really great food, and, of course, bars for the wine and beer.  I was with my bestest Stanford friends, Jan and Steve Blasberg; it was a memorable experience!  That evening ended with fireworks from the Basilica of Fourvière.
All really cool adventures - here are some photos!

Fireworks (feux d'artifice) in Lyon

with UN peace keeper before parade

cadets waiting to join parade

Still trying to figure what this is...

Fireworks in Paris, at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower

Then President Sarkozy reviewing the troops