photo credit: y.caradec
Yesterday was the fête nationale in France, commemorating the storming of the prison, La Bastille. As we all know from our history lessions, this set off the French Revolution in 1789 & marked the end of the monarchy with it's long line of Louies, and the birth of the democratic French republic, and liberté, egalité and fraternité.
image credit:Elysee websiteIt was exciting day to be here in Paris. For myself, being a part of it was compensation for the fact that a few years ago on another trip to Paris, I had left just the day before, missing all the festivities... What was I thinking ?! :)
As far as public events go, there are two main events that are traditionally scheduled. In the morning there is a military parade which marches down the Champs Elysee, starting at the Arc de Triomphe and ending at the Place de la Concorde (by the way, this is where all the revolutionary executions took place in 1789 ). It’s interesting to note that France is the only major Western power which chooses to mark it’s national holiday with a show of it's military power... marching down the main axis of central Paris. This year there was some additional geopolitical significance, as members of 12 African nations who had celebrated at least 50 years of independence from France, were invited to share in the celebration. Soldiers from these countries were given a place of honor in being the first to march in the parade, preceeding all of the French troops.
Not being the military type myself, and unfortunately getting the coordinates wrong as far as which was the best location to report to for watching the parade, I nonetheless really did enjoy the air show put on by the French air force and navy. This is the only time that any aircraft is permitted to fly over the airspace of Paris, and the skill and speed with which the pilots manage their formations is really awe-inspiring.
And then … if you’ve been able to watch any of the news reports, Paris was not spared from all of the tremendous storms that have been deluging the country recently. The skies opened up, and umbrella or not, we all got properly drenched. Standing under cover & huddled with the crowd taking advantage of every square inch of shelter, I overheard one youngish monsieur consoling his lady, “Mais chérie, c’est Paris, c’est pas Marseille”. A little french philosophy is never too far from any discussion …
Fortunately the weather cleared up for the evening’s spectacular feu d'artifice display at the Eiffel Tower. I can say that it is truly the most amazing fireworks show I’ve ever seen. There is a video of it on the Paris’ mairie’s website, but taking a look at the vantage point it was filmed from, I think that time is better spent watching the display from 2009...last year’s show which celebrated the beloved tower’s 120th anniversaire. If you love the Tower, and love fireworks, you might enjoy kicking back with a glass of vin rouge to watch the show.
In typical french fashion, it’s pure theatre.
10 comments:
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with la fete nationale! I can only imagine what it would be like to be in Paris on this day!
Mandy
la belle vie! yes we missed it this year too, by two days...but that did not mean the rain missed us! it poured down cats and dogs monday on the way to the airport. 210 bouchons sur les routes autour de paris as a result!
thanks for the link to the fireworks!
Dear Mandy: well, it was a little rough around the edges, but I guess we can say all's well that ends well. I'd certainly love to do it again, and hopefully you will have the opportunity to see it for yourself in person sometime too!
Dear Mlle Paradis: ahhh...la pluie! Glad to hear that you enjoyed your recent time here...from your photos it looks like you enjoyed some of the stunning weather we've had here too...too bad it couldn't last long enough for la fête, non? mais...on peut dire...c'est la vie! :)
We could use some of that rain here! On Bastille Day, the classical music station played pieces by French composers. I would have made French food, but it was way too hot!
Oh what a celebration! :-) I enjoyed reading your beautiful article with all the history notes and findings. yes, it is interesting about showing the military muscles :-) It reminds me of Russia :-) And what a relief with the rain - we are still waiting for ours to come (it seems our clouds either melted or blown away before they can cast watery magic!)
Thank you for the link to the tower’s 120th anniversaire! I enjoyed it so very much last night. Extraordinary!!! :-)
Une bonne semaine a toi, ma cherie Amusette :-) xoxo
Dear T.W. Sorry to hear about the heat wave there on the east coast...hmmm...giving it some thought, how 'bout a salade composée with some frisée and a poached egg? :-)'
Dear Katrin: merci for your sweet and thoughtful comment, comme d'habitude. Glad you enjoyed the extravaganza ! I'm sending some rain clouds your way, for a refreshing shower soon! Bises et bonne semaine à toi! :-) xoxo
I really liked the "umbrella or not..." Very original!
I spent France's bicentennial in the tiny town Chatillon sur Indre (I want to say in the Berry region?) and it remains my favorite national celebration ever! This fab little fireworks display, people sitting on windows high above the twisty road across the field, c'etait magnifique! I think I used the wrong tense. Forgive me, s'il vous plait! :)
Dear Sina :) Merci! Thanks for sharing your memories of the fête ... it must have been amazing to be in the open fields watching the fireworks...what a great experience!
I was also in Paris on the 14th, and also "enjoyed" the heavy rains... ;-)
That was quite a day...
It's my 1st visit here. I'll be back ;-)
Hello dear Thib :) I hope you were one of the lucky ones with an umbrella!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
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