Nerdlove

Hello,

I'll be celebrating my 30 th birthday in paris and it so happens to fallmon Bastille Day. I was planning to spend a relaxing day just having a picnic for lunch, have dinner with friends (reservtions already made) then watch fireworks.

Few questions for any experienced Bastille Day attendees:

1. Do open air markets and bakeries open that day? If so, does anyone have recommendations of which one to attend?

2. Where are some good areas to picnic? I'm not concerned about the parade. Just a nice place that is pretty and fun.

3. We're staying in the Bastille area but having dinner in Marais (at Spring). Where might be
a close area to watch fireworks without being overwhelmed with crowds?

Thanks for any advice!

easytraveler

The largest open air market in Paris is right there at the Place de la Bastille at the north end. It isn't there every day but it has such a motley array of things to buy, you could wander for hours. The roast chicken! The roast chicken! Yum!

avalon

The masrket easytravelr speaks of is Richard Lenoir , Thursdays and Sundays.

Aduchamp1

I was there a couple of years ago and stayed on Richard Lenoir. There were no markets and by the Place de la Batille all the activity was at the McDonald's across the street.

Many restaurants were closed that day and the center of the celebration is on the Champs but the view is blocked for part of it by the reviewing stands which are reserved.

I may be wrong but the fireworks are near the Eiffel Tower.

spaarne

The fireworks are off the top of the Tour Eiffel. Fantastic. Metros are mobbed. Go early. Trocadero is a good viewing place. Don't get your pockets picked.

StCirq

And don't call it Bastille Day if you're talking to French people. It's the Fête Nationale or perhaps the Fête du Quatorze Juillet.

PalenQ

One of my favorite picnic areas is on the steps leading down to the Seine in front of the Palais de Chaillot - opposite the Eiffel Tower, which is in full magnificent view just across the river. There are when I've been there lots of chairs with arms and lots of people watching - local break dancers were performing in force last time I was there. And i think this is a great perch to watch some fireworks at night.