I 've heard that there are parties at the firehouses the eve before Bastille day? Does anyone know anything about this? Also, are the fireworks the eve before or the eve of Bastille day itself? Thanks!

Yes, each "caserne de pompiers" (firehouse) holds a party, with a band, etc, so you girls get to dance with cute French firefighters!. Similar parties are being held in front of each local city hall (mairie d'arrondissement). There are two fireworks, one on the 13th, one on the 14th.

I got some helpful replies here a while back:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34481669

In most towns and villages in France there are parties and fireworks the night before "La Prise de la Bastille." Once we were in a hamlet in Burgundy where the chef of the excellent restaurant paid for the fireworks, and he stood out in the pasture with the rest of us to watch the wonderful display.

While your question was more about firehouse parties, which we have not attended, we did go to the Bastille Day Parade last year. An interesting experience, at least once. Crowd is about four-five deep. Saw President Chirac waving to the crowd. Parades are a whole lot different on Bastille Day, than on the 4th in the US. The crowd is more subdued, no flag waving, no personal showing of the colors by parade watchers. Respectful clapping accompanied the President's passing, a marked contrast to the hollering we'd see in the US. The parade itself was militarily oriented with many troops and much military equipment. It was a far cry from the floats and other regalia we see here. Great flyover by French jets streaming blue, white and red. It is always a great honor to see how a country reflects it's patriotism.

Most fireworks are on Bastille day itself. It's the case for the main one in Paris, but it's quite difficult to find a spot alowing you to see it well if you don't go there well in advance.