Bastille Day

Two hundred and twenty-two years ago this past Thursday, angry Parisians tore down an empty prison.  OK, they were going after guns or something, but regardless, it ended up being the French national day.  And so this American couple did our best to honor France on July 14th.



The 13th was also the last day of my program here, so we had double reason to celebrate.  Because of our class dinner that evening, Margaret and I missed the fireman's balls that are a traditional part of Bastille Day.  Les pompiers-sapeurs are revered in France...mainly as sex symbols.  So they get to have big parties the night before Bastille Day where everyone goes and dances.

Margaret and I did remember in time that I knew how to break onto the roof of our apartment building.  So we made it out there to see 10 or 12 different fireworks displays all over the horizon.  That was pretty awesome.

The beginning of the flyovers

The morning of Bastille Day, all of France watches a big military parade down the Champs-Elysees, either on TV or in person.  We watched the military jets fly over from La Defense on our side of the city, which was awesome.  We then caught the tail end of the parade and the helicopters landing from near Invalides. 

Most importantly, we discovered a deep cultural truth about France.  Here at Toute Chose Belle, we have done our best to dispel many of the negative stereotypes Americans have about France.  In honor of Bastille Day, this post will actually confirm a stereotype.  Here goes....

French military organizations really do love funny hats.  It's true.  Floppy white berets, sideways black berets, giant feathers, chrome helmets... pretty much every unit marching in the parade had a weird hat.  So feel free to continue laughing at French chapeaus.

The Mountain Troops. With their mountainous (?) berets.

It was a beautiful evening

Anyway, after a trip back to our apartment to rest and eat, we returned in the evening to watch the fireworks by the Eiffel Tower.  The newspaper estimated 600,000 people were there!  They had a concert beforehand and then shot off fireworks for a half hour, to this year's soundtrack of classic songs from musicals.  I have to say, it was the best fireworks display I've ever seen, with the Tower as the setting. 

More, please

One weird note:  the final song in the show?  "America", from West Side Story.  This from a country with pretty much the most awesome blood-thirsty national anthem on the planet.  So strange...

Vive la France!  Liberté Egalité Fraternité!