Paris on Bastille Day
 

I might be in Paris on Bastille Day. It seems like a fun time to be there. Any advice on things to see and do that day?

It's *blast*! Literally. Depending on your neighborhood it is VERY noisy :) But a lot of fun. The year we shared Bastille Day with "tout Paris" was 1992. We were staying in the 5e and the students kept up the racket ALL night! Firecrackers, noisemakers, singing and dancing in the street... There are lots of parties that involve getting invited, but in the Marais [4e] they seemed [at least on the TV] to spill over into the streets. Makes sense since Place de la Bastille is there! I guess if I were younger and didn't have an invite for a formal party I'd head there! <BR>

My mom (75) and I were in Paris for Bastille Day in '96, and had a great time. If you stand on one of the bridges (like the one in front of les Invalides), you can see the fireworks shot from the Trocadero over the Seine (these folks need a little help from our pyrotechnic guys, but the fireworks are still pretty nifty). Hey those sophisticated Parisians do "OOO AAAA" just like us rubes from les Etats-Unis. Find a hotel in a quiet neighborhood (the 5eme arrondissement is student quarter so it's no place to sleep), and you'll find some restaurants closed for the summer, but lots of neighborhood places are open. In the morning there's a parade that starts near the Madeleine and goes down the Champs Elysees (they roll TANKS down the street!). Get there early; grandstands and bleachers are put up for some of the crowd, but you'll probably have to stand on the sidewalk. You can also watch it on TV in the security of your hotel room (BO-RING). The department stores have 14th of July sales, patisseries make red/white/blue frosted things, it's the same kinda hoo-hah Americans do for the 4th of July. It's GREAT!

We've been there a couple of times on the 14th. My husband loves it cause it's his birthday - all that celebration!! Last year I was in class in the morning and he walked down to the parade and took alot of video. We especially liked the troops that would sing or whistle as they marched or rode horseback (there were bands on horseback too), and enjoyed seeing all the different fancy uniforms. <BR>

the best way to celebrate Bastille Day is to go to one of the Bal des Pompiers (Firemen's Balls) which are held in the fire stations around town. The one in the 6th, 15th and 13 (across the Val de Grace) are very fun, haven't been to others. These events are cheap, they sell champagne by the glass, you get to dance with cute young firemen...who could ask for more. It goes on all night. Have fun.

Thanks for all the positive comments. Now I have to count the days until we go!