Paris - Bastille Day/Fete Nationale 2011

Old Feb 26th, 2011, 06:05 PM
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Oh sorry, I reread that trvlgirlmq said above to arrive no later than 9AM for 10AM parade. Sorry I forgot that she answered my question...any other experiences and tips appreciated. Will pack my umbrella, but hope not to repeat your wet experiences of last year.
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Old Mar 5th, 2011, 04:26 PM
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Hello, sorry to be invasive but I too am looking for some information about 'La Fête Nationale.'

I know most shops will be closed on the actual day but I read somewhere that due to it being on a Thursday this year- the shops will be closed the following day as well.
Is this true?
I hope not, as what is Paris without visiting some of it's famous shops?

Also, if anyone would like to contribute to the 'Should I stay at Hotel de sers or Hotel de la tremoille' debate that I'm currently engaging in- please feel free!
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Old May 4th, 2011, 07:54 PM
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Trafaelwyr -- what apartment did you stay at? I'm about to book for July 13, arriving early on the 14th and just put two-and-two together that we'd be arriving on Bastille Day. Would love feedback on apartments for 5 of us -- the youngest daughter is 18 and older daughters are 23 (twins) plus my husband and myself. This trip has come together so late so hopefully the rates won't be nuts on a holiday. We plan to stay at least 4-5 nights then fly to Venice for the back end of the trip. Many thanks for input!
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Old May 4th, 2011, 08:23 PM
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I was in Paris for Bastille Day 40 years apart. Both times were very festive. This last time we watched the fireworks from somewhere near the Hilton Hotel and I got some fabulous photos. So I believe that the view of the fireworks is as good from the tower side of the river as the opposite side (Trocadero). As others have warned, be prepared for huge crowds. As the time for the fireworks approached, it was absolute gridlock, and movement through the crowd was not possible without great difficulty. The show was fabulous and worth it, in my opinion.
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Old May 25th, 2011, 10:12 AM
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I will be in Paris with my teenage sons during this same timeframe. I was considering going out to Versailles in the morning and returning to Paris early afternoon. Does anyone know if Versailled is open? Will it be difficult to travel by train back to Paris early afternoon? Thoughts appreciated.
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Old May 26th, 2011, 10:08 AM
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yes, Versailles is open, I would expect it to be pretty crowded since it's a holiday. They have one of those special fountains with music thingies which costs extra (grandes eaux musicales). I'd try to get there right when it opened.

I don't think it will be difficult for any reason to travel back. Sometimes fewer trains run on holidays and they may be crowded, of course, but they are often crowded anyway on the route on a busy day (like Sat/Sun). I haven't tried that, though, but have certainly taken the regular metro in Paris and other RER on that day without giving it any thought. Sometimes there are no ticket clerks in the booths due to the holiday so be sure you have your ticket ahead of time, I would say (train ticket), or have plenty of euro coins to buy them by machine.

The only transportation problem on July 14th is the stops around the Champs-Elysees, as far as I know, they shut some of them off due to the crowds and the parade.

Stores can't afford to close any more than necessary, they need the business. SOme small owner-run place may decide to close because they want time off, but I can't imagine most businesses deciding to close on 7/15. I've been there on that date a lot over the years and don't ever remembering things being closed the day after, I'm sure I was probably there some year when it was on a Thursday (that would make more sense to me if it were a Friday, actually, to close the next day). I'm just speculating but it seems odd to me to think that would happen. Some stores are even open on the holiday now (regular stores in shopping malls like Les Halles). They want all the holiday business where people have free time to shop.

There is plenty to do other than shopping, anyway.
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Old Jun 30th, 2011, 12:23 AM
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In the 1980s I saw the fireworks from the Jules Verne restaurant in the Effiel tower. At that time they didn't do the fireworks from the Effiel Tower itself.
I just booked 3 places on the Vedettes De Paris boat for the July 14 fireworks. This is the best way to avoid crowds and have the best spot.
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Old Jun 30th, 2011, 09:37 AM
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It is not the best spot, because a lot of the effects are at ground level in the Trocadéro gardens, which you will be too low to see from river level.
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Old Jun 30th, 2011, 10:04 PM
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Like what kind of effects?

Where would you have to be to see those ground level Trocadero effects? On the Effiel Tower itself?

Well it does avoid the crowds, so you can't have everything.
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Old Jun 30th, 2011, 10:09 PM
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Where would you go for the Bal Populaire at the fire stations that might appeal to an over 40 people, my wife and I and my son age 13? I am staying in the Latin quarter. I know the Bastille is the main spot. I have never gone to one before.

Where is your opinion of the best and 2nd best place to watch the pararde? What time to get there? Where to buy those periscopes that let you see over people?
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Old Jul 1st, 2011, 10:35 AM
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Go to a firemen's ball on the 13th. Most of the will be taking place on both evenings.

Rond Point des Champs Elysées is the best place to see the parade, in my opinion, because even if you can't get up front, you have an excellent unobstructed view of the aerial show.

The absolutely worst place is anywhere near the Arc de Triomphe.
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Old Aug 1st, 2011, 05:28 AM
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Seeing the fireworks from the Siene boat Vedettes De Paris.

SURFERGIRL really had this figured out if you want to avoid the large crowds.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ene-cruise.cfm

YES, SURFERGIRL YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!
Your ONLY access to the boats on Bastille Day is at Bir Hakeim, ALL THE OTHER ACCESS POINTS ARE BLOCKED.

I tried to get on the boat at about 5:30pm by just walking up the wide path on the Siene side of the street and that was blocked by police. None of about 8 different police (at different locations) knew anything about it even when they read the ticket and instructions in french. Finally a senior policeman figured it out and sent us back to Bir Hakeim and the road that is right next to the river and THAT was the access point.

The fireworks were beyond fantastic, so much better that I remember them 20 years ago. There were firework effects that I had never seen before, new advances in firework technology.

The theme for the fireworks was from Broadway to Paris. So all the big Broadway show music was played. From Hello Dolly to Hair and everything in between.

The music to the fireworks is broadcast over the radio and the boat played that music right on the boat. So anyone watching them anywhere else bring a portable radio with you!!!!!!!

So much of what I saw would have been blocked by the Effiel Tower. There were NO fireworks from the Effiel Tower itself. Although there was a concert in front of the Effiel if you want to be with 500,000 other people. This is the ONLY way to see the fireworks.

ON GETTING BACK TO THE LATIN QUARTER AFTER THE SHOW.
We walked south along the Siene to the number 10 Metro that goes direct to the Latin Quarter. We tried to hail a cap along the way with no luck. It was about a 15 minute walk to there and the station was not overly crowded. Then direct to the Latin quarter.
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Old Aug 1st, 2011, 06:23 AM
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Quite clever to walk to Javel to get the metro! Glad you had a good time.
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