Bastille Days

[svs1]

I will be traveling into Paris for the Bastille Day parade and fireworks. Does any one know of a good place to view the parade and fireworks? And how soon do I have to get to each event? Thanks!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I will be traveling into Paris for the Bastille Day parade and fireworks. Does any one know of a good place to view the parade and fireworks? And how soon do I have to get to each event? Thanks!

For the parade, as early as possible as it is standing only without invitation, and if you want to see anything worth while you are going to have to wait a few hours.

It starts around 10.00 am when the President arrives and finishes at 11.45 am when he leaves. Last year the fly pasts started at 10.35 and the first troops just after

I've always been seated but if I were to stand it would be on the Champs Elysées between the Rond Point and Champs Elysées Clemenceau metro station (either side of the Avenue) If all this is seated, depends from year to year, I'd go from FD Roosevelt metro station to the Rond Point. I wouldn't be trying to be going up near the Arc de Triomphe (where it all starts) as it gets very very crowed up there.

The fireworks are at the Eiffel Tower and start around 10.45/11.00 pm. For the moment the exact time for 2011 is not annonced , and it lasts about 30 minutes
Again it is best to get there very early if you want to sit on the Champs de Mars looking at the Eiffel Tower with Trocadero behind it. This is where nearly everyone goes to see it so you can imagine the crowds.

 

[svs1]

Thank you so very much for the information. It is very helpful!

 

[MichelinMan]

Never realised there was all that going on in Paris for Bastille Day - I was at DLP 2 years ago for Bastille Day and was surprised it wasn't busier - this explains why I think.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Never realised there was all that going on in Paris for Bastille Day - I was at DLP 2 years ago for Bastille Day and was surprised it wasn't busier - this explains why I think.

Most of the people who go and see the defilé are tourists or traditionalists
A lot of people will have been nursing hang overs from the night before and/or doing bbq's with friends and family before going off to the fireworks or a bal

The fireworks (that can be held either on the 13th or the 14th depending on the village/town) are popular with all as are the Bal des Pompiers - Firemens Balls that are held in every caserne throughout France on the 13 and or the 14th of July.

Entrance is free mostly, sometimes a few €, and you give a donation. They have a bar, sell raffle tickets, snacks and music, often a live band. All money raised goes to helps the wifes and orphans of firemen who lost their lives.

We go up to Normandy and watch the fireworks on the beach. From the beach at Villers sur mer you can see the fireworks at several other towns along the bay

 

[svs1]

Hi again! You mentioned that you usually sit for the Bastille Day parade. How do you get to do that? Do you purchase tickets and if so where? Thanks again!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I've always had friends and family seats for the military.

The seats are invitation only and afaik left over ones are no longer given out on the day to first come first served because of the stricter security measures.

Last year the public could write to this address and request invitations. You could always try and see if it's still going on this year.

Monsieur le Gouverneur Militaire de Paris
Hôtel National des Invalides
129 Rue de Grenelle
75700 Paris SP 07

You could also contact your embassy here in Paris and see if they have any invitations, you never know

 

[markpsych]

Loving your French cultural awareness raising posts Carrie

You've really added another level of interest to the forum

Keep it coming!

 

[svs1]

Carrie Cat, Thank you so very much for the helpful information. Take care!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Loving your French cultural awareness raising posts Carrie

You've really added another level of interest to the forum

Keep it coming!

Thank you Looks for the blushing smilie

I guess that I have a great love for Paris and France as I spent more of my life here than anywhere else (all my adult life anyway) and I enjoy sharing bits with others.

I'd do a Paris trip report with bits of unseen/off the beaten track Paris and other French holidays but I don't know if it would be allowed as this is all about DLP

Anyway I'll try and answer all questions and do my bit for French culture so don't hesitate to ask and thanks again

 

[Cyrano]

I'd do a Paris trip report with bits of unseen/off the beaten track Paris and other French holidays but I don't know if it would be allowed as this is all about DLP

If you look on the DLP trip reports sub-board here you will see that others have posted trips elsewhere that they wanted DLP DISers to see.
Dave in particular has added great trips to Provin and other locations.

We would love to see other aspects of Paris and France

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Just thought I'd come a update this thread now that the times for this years events are known

http://mademoiselle-et-mister.blogspot.com/2011/07/14-juillet-2011-paris-feu-dartifice.html

(Run the link through a translator for the full story)

The parade starts at 10.00am when the President arrives and the first fly past is at 10.35 am followed by the first troops at 10.50 am.

There is a free concert at the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower starting at 5.00 pm. It's being staged by SOS Racisme and will be full of French stars and African groups.

Then at 11.00 pm there will be the traditional firework display at the same spot at it will last 30 minutes or so