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!
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| Fireworks (feux d'artifice) in Lyon |
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| with UN peace keeper before parade |
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| cadets waiting to join parade |
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| Still trying to figure what this is... |
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| Fireworks in Paris, at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower |
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| Then President Sarkozy reviewing the troops |
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