Yes, I%26#39;ve done the search and clearly there%26#39;s a million things to do - that%26#39;s the problem, I can%26#39;t do them all.
So, for those who have experienced Bastille day here, what would be your perfect Bastille day itinerary? We are a family of 4, kids are 10 and 14.
Thanks!
|||
There are free concerts at every fire station in town the night before. We always loved to go to the Eiffel tour to watch the fireworks.
|||
In to crowds? We had guests with their kids who went to the Champs Elysees and loved the scene there. I%26#39;ve NEVER been, because crowds are not my thing.
Did the Eiffel Tower once, it was manageable, but barely and you have to plan lots of walking for the to/from because of the traffic control. There is a live concert and then fireworks.
We go to the local firemen%26#39;s balls. If the line for entry is too long, I head straight for the door and play the, %26quot;Aren%26#39;t my kids so cute?%26quot; routine. It always works and I don%26#39;t feel bad about it because the gorgeous girls are using their own routines and if you wait in line, it could be forever. You could also try the, %26quot;But we%26#39;ve come all the way from Canada.%26quot; routine.
|||
Thanks. But what exactly is a %26quot;ball%26quot;? Is food, drink, entertainment involved? What do you wear? Do you take anything? Is there an admission charge? I%26#39;ve read somewhere that they %26quot;go on all night%26quot; - is there a point where it becomes %26quot;no longer suitable for children%26quot;? Is it really a family type of thing or is it really just a ruse for the firemen to attract the %26quot;gorgeous girls%26quot; you mention?
|||
We went last year, you have to be on the Champs Elysees VERY early like 7.30 am to get a good view of the parade. The metros are closed in that area and the police direct you round the right bank to the Ave Montaigne, so give yourself plenty of time to walk to a good spot.
After the parade we went for lunch at a cafe on rue Dominique, we watched helicopters and paratroopers landing on the gree in front of the Hospital d%26#39;Invalides. All the military and their families are dining out and there is a festival asmosphere. Anywhere near Ecole Militaire in the 7th where all the military vehicles and personnel return to.
All the public museums were free so we visited the Invilides, no queue.
In the evening we went to the Champs de Mars for a fantastic free concert and picnic. There were lots of soldiers and young girls. There was a large crowd in good humour. Then at 11pm the fireworks started behind the Eiffel tower to music.
A great day I will never forget.
Denise
love from england.
|||
Thanks, sounds like a great way to spend the day. We%26#39;ll be close to the Champs Elysees, so that shouldn%26#39;t be a problem. Did you take in any of these firemen%26#39;s do%26#39;s that everyone talks about? I%26#39;d love to learn more about these.
What%26#39;s everyone%26#39;s thoughts on the best place to view the fireworks? Where exactly are they launched from? I realize it%26#39;s close to the Tour - do they launch from barges on the river?
|||
We walked down to the Champs Elysees, couldn%26#39;t see a thing so went back to our apartment which had a %26quot;slice%26quot; of the champs visible from the room. If you are going to watch, go very early and go further down the Champs away from the Arc as it is mostly just tanks and things parked there.
Security is really tight and I have never seen so many police vans as were parked in the streets behind the Champs. They wall off the avenue and only allow you in without baggage. Even bottles of water needed to be left.
There is a flypast down the avenue at the end.
We waited to see the Eiffel Tower fireworks from our room. We could see the reflections of the main fireworks, but the tower itself was not used in 2008, so I got nothing. The main fireworks are in the Champs de Mars. You can see them from along most of the riverbank as well.
|||
%26gt;%26gt;Thanks, sounds like a great way to spend the day. We%26#39;ll be close to the Champs Elysees, so that shouldn%26#39;t be a problem. Did you take in any of these firemen%26#39;s do%26#39;s that everyone talks about? I%26#39;d love to learn more about these.%26lt;%26lt;
No we didn%26#39;t go to the firemans ball as we only arrived late on the 13th.
If you are close to the Champs Elysees check out the arrangements beforehand beacause, as lynne says security is VERY tight and you can only get near the front of the Champs Elysees by goung through designated entrances, everyone is searched. You may find where you stay is blocked off and you have to walk miles around out of your way.
I remarked last time that anyone staying in that whole area would be severely limited, because we were not free to walk along the streets as usual, we were marshalled everywhere by the police and military. There was absolutely no public transport, taxis or traffic allowed and you had to go where you were told. For anyone trying to arrive or leave with suitcases it must have been a nightmare.
We got near to the place de la Concorde at 8am (we could SEE it) and then were marshalled by the police over the river along the right bank right up to the Ave Montaigne and down to the Champs Elysees.It was so frustrating. We had no choice and it took us about an hour. By the time we got onto the Champs Elysees it was very difficult to see anything it was 9am and the parade was in full swing.
This year I will take a folding chair and be there at 7.30am
Denise
Love from England
|||
IMEC--we took the 10:30 boat from Vedettes du Pont Neuf and watched the fireworks from the boat--it stopped mid-river--we had seats--no crowds--and a GREAT VIEW of the tower and fireworks.
We did go to the fireman%26#39;s ball at Port Royal--it was PACKED with people of all ages, but I did not see many children. Laser show--concert music--people dancing on the bars--smoking--rearends being grabbed--requests to fondle breasts (really). I have 3 kids (15, 13 %26amp; 8), and would not take them to a fireman%26#39;s ball. When I went I took a student/adult group, but no one was under 17 years old.
Have fun!
|||
PS--the fireman%26#39;s balls take place the 13 %26amp; the 14th usually.
|||
Wow this whole security business sounds pretty serious. There%26#39;s a thread for my hotel on another board - maybe I%26#39;ll check if anyone has stayed on Bastille Day and has some tips.
I like the sound of this boat to see the fireworks. Is it a special cruise that you can book ahead? I imagine it must be immensely popular. Do recall the cost?
As for the ball, looks like I may have to bribe my daughter to do some babysitting - shopping money should work ;).
Thanks all.
No comments:
Post a Comment