Bastille Day in Paris
 

We are going to be in Paris on Bastille Day. A friend told me that the celebrations are actually on the evening of July 13, not July 14? I really would like to avoid the Eiffel Tower crowds, but would like to experience a little of the celebratory action. Can anyone suggest a plan? Are there multiple "celebrations" throughout the city in different neighborhoods? We are staying in the Marais and have a dinner reservation at Spring on the 13th. Also - my friend felt that the Gare de l'est is not safe at night - would you agree? We were planning to take a train back in the evening from Reims on one of the days.

I was in Paris on Bastille Day a few years ago and the greatest inconvience was many restaurants were closed. I was staying near Place de la Bastille and they didn't even stop traffic for a moment of silence. Just stay away from the Champs.

I suspect your friend was thinking of the fire station parties that are usually on the evening of the 13th, I believe.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...onale-2011.cfm
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=4254

Yes, I also think the reference must have been to some of the fire station parties on the 13th, as the city's official celebrations are on the 14th (military revue and the fireworks). And some of the fire station parties are on the 14th, also, although most on the 13th.

I've been in Paris quite a few times on that date, and it doesn't really affect me much at all if you are not right around the Champs-Elysees during the parade or near the Eiffel Tower for the fireworks. I don't know what kind of celebration you are expecting, it's just a national day like many countries have and it's not your country. I think it is usually kind of party central around place de la Bastille, if you want to check that out.


But if you want to try to find some fire station party, you can look, that's probably your best bet. Other than that, life is pretty normal except it's kind of slow like any holiday or Sunday. The fire station parties are called bals des pompiers. I think this is a listing showing addresses and which nights
http://www.pompiersparis.fr/files/13...de_secours.pdf

I am not positive that list is from this year or last year, but I imagine they might follow the same custom as to when they have their bal, and the addresses are the same. For example, you can see the 11th company in the 4th arr has them both nights and is on rue de Sevigne. The 4th company in St Germain and the 8th in the 1st arr also has them both nights. At least they are free, so you can check them out although I believe they do usually ask for donations.

I have not been in Gare de l'Est very late at night but as a word of advice, the immediate area around lots of train stations is not a place you should be hanging out, in general, not would there be a reason to. It is a bit scruffy right around there and lots of vagrants hang around train stations, it seems, all over Paris (a lot permanently encamp around Montparnasse, it seems to me). However, I would presume you are just going to immediatley get on the metro in the train station, not be walking around outside it, aren't you? Maybe the metro is just in front, I don't remember, although there is usually an entrance inside train stations--but I wouldn't overly worry about coming back from Reims at night and getting into the metro there, I would presume you aren't coming back real late, are you?

And please don't refer to it as Bastille Day while in France. It's the fête nationale.

When July 15th is a work day, there are more activities on July 13th than July 14th.

As for Gare de l'Est, it is perfectly safe and is one of the two most luxurious train stations in Paris (along with Gare Saint Lazare). There are a multitude of metro and bus lines leaving from the station and I would even recommend staying in that area to anybody who wants to save a bit of money and see a more authentic part of Paris.

Here's an old thread I made about Gare de l'Est: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...1&page=1#89291

Thanks everyone that is so helpful. Kerouac I savored your pics of the fireman's Ball and the Gare de l'Est thread is very helpful. Christina you have really helped me with something before so I thank you again!!

I am learning the lingo and I am sure the reason my French friend said that Bastille Day does not really exist in France is because I was calling it by the wrong name!! Part of the adventure ....