Dalai Lama
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
BASTILLE DAY:
The Parisian Holiday
Bastille Day in France is the equivalent to 4th of July in America. It is commonly referred to as La Fête Nationale or Le Quatorze Juillet (the 14th of July) by French speakers. In comparison, the traditions to celebrating any national holiday are relatively the same in one respect: eat food and be with loved ones. Barbecues, swimming, and fireworks are customary to July 4th done right, and Paris has a similar strategy when celebrating their national holiday. Most all shop fronts are closed and people prepare days in advance for one of the biggest celebrations in Paris. The day includes extensive picnicking, laughing with friends, relaxing, and watching fireworks at night. Even the struggle to see fire works is pretty similar. At dark, the Eiffel Tower releases the most spectacular and beautiful display of fireworks - but the problem is actually seeing them. Paris is primarily flat; you have to either be on the rooftop of a very high building or go towards the upper arrondissements on the right bank of Paris. In the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements you will find areas like Montmartre, Belleville, and Buttes Chaumont, which have beautiful views of the city. However that does not mean you can always see the Eiffel Tower! Securing a comfortable spot to see the fireworks involves camping out and picnicking pretty much all day until the show begins, or hoping you are in the right place at the right time and can see over people's heads. When those fire works light off, trust me you will want to see them because there is nothing else like it.
Left: Artwork on the structure in Parc de Belleville
Right: View of the Eiffel Tower from Parc de Bellville
Photos by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Not only is La Fête Nationale celebrated on the night of the 14th, but the night leading up the national holiday is also a time when Parisians all get together at the Annual Firemen's Gala. This aspect is particularly unique to the French. Every district, or arrondissement, in Paris has a fire station. Every year on the 13th of July, every fire station hosts a public event, which includes music, dancing, food and drinks. This acts as preparatory celebration to the whole line of events that are set up for the following day. Every year since La Fête Nationale was written in law in 1880, almost without exception, there is a morning military parade down Champs-Élysées. From there on out, its relaxing and celebrating all day and into the night.
Extra Tip: Avoiding crowds on this day is almost impossible if you are trying to see the fireworks and do not have a beautiful Parisian balcony apartment 7th arrondissement (ha). I would recommend camping out on the Champ de Mars, further towards Place Joffre, in early the afternoon to secure a spot for the rest of the night. With plenty of food and drinks and friends around you, the day will quickly move into the night, and you'll have a full view of everything Paris has to offer on this eventful holiday.
