Fêtê de la Musique vs Bastille Day?

Hi Kassie, my husband will be at the US Open next year, too....already talking about it. : ) We were in Paris for the Fêtê de la Musique and really enjoyed the evening wandering down streets to hear the different musicians - a 3-piece string trio, a New Orleans type band, a 70's type band, etc. I wouldn't plan my vacation dates around it; it was fun to be there, but everyday on our vacation was a lot of fun.

We have been there for both -- Both are worth participation but for me it is Paris I come to see and it doesn't matter much when -- except we tend to avoid mid summer because of the weather -- The time we were there for July 14 Fete Nationale was just before the heat waves of 2003. We have been to Fete de La Musique a couple of times. You can see pictures in my photo journal:
http://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/fete-de-la-musique-celebrating-the-solstice/

We enjoyed the Fete Nationale parties and fireworks and the Louvre was both free and not very touristed that day.

Kassie,
I have been in Paris for both in different years. I agree completely with the first responder about Fete de la Musique. As to Fete Nationale, I have the same general feeling. The parade is fine but I would not plan a trip about it. The fireworks though were amazing in 2011 (the year that I was there), but also not something that I would plan a trip around. For what it is worth, we saw the fireworks on one of the Seine cruises and that was a wonderful experience. Also, I have heard of the Firemen's Balls that take place during Fete National but have never been to one. Attending one might be a great time.

Thanks all! We did a ton of tourist sights when we were in Paris last year, for our next trip we want to experience more of the local culture, and would love to be there when everyone is celebrating. We're also planning to take the train to Barcelona for the second leg of our 2 week trip, so we're hoping for some lovely warm weather while we're there which is why we're looking at June and July.

Thanks again to those who've already shared, I look forward to hearing from any others with opinions... :)

Thanks again.

Hi Laura,
Did you mean to leave more of a message than "Thanks Again"? ;)
Kassie