Paris on July 14th Bastille Day

You have two good choices. There will be street dancing on the 13th starting at sundown either place. I've been in Paris on the 14th, but I've also been in Blois, also in the Loire, on the 13th/14th--it's the evening of the 13th when everything starts. In a smaller city like Tours, you'll have more local atmosphere if you attend fireworks, dancing, parade, local festival, bbq, communal meal, etc. Actually, if I were doing this, I'd head for an even smaller town like Blois or Amboise and try to participate in all the local festivities.

However, I'm not sure what you mean by "sorta crazy." Paris is a great place to be, too, just with a different atmosphere.

I have been in Paris many times for Fete National ( it is not called Bastille day since my grandmothers time, and locals do not use that term.. only tourists )

Its completely normal .. like any other day.. there IS a parade on the Champs Elysees.. but I hate parades and find that very easy to avoid.. it is a large city you know.
There are fireworks near the ET.. many people go to the Champs de Mars ( the field nearby ) to picnic and watch them. I don't , its crowded.. Many like to stake out a place on the nearby bridges.. too.
However thousands of the rest of us go about our day and evening without being the least bit affected.

Was there just this past July 14th. Had dinner . Went for a walk in the Marais.. and went to bed. no big deal.. no way would I purposely avoid visiting Paris .. and in fact it might be fun for the teens.

I did get to see part of the airshow during the day.. we were no where near the Champs of course.. but they fly over the city so we caught glimpses. Fun.

Thank you so much for your help. I think the teens would do better at a smaller venue like Amboise. That was where we were thinking of getting a b&b. I will remember not to call it Bastille Day when I am in France. Any other good suggestions would be great we were going to give the kids about 4 days on their own while my friend and I do what we want so any suggestions for them would be great. Thanks again!

My husband and I were in Paris on 14 July a few years ago and thought this was the absolute best party ever! People had picnics sitting in the park waiting for it to get dark enough for the fireworks. (23:15) Fun mood and atmosphere. The fireworks being shot off of the Eifel Tower were set to music and the show was fantastic. We are so glad we went to this. Even coming back to our hotel, we got a kick out of the crowds waiting on the Metro, as everyone was in such a wonderful mood.

A year later we were in Bayeux and thought this local celebration would be fun. I won't use the word boring, cause I am never bored, but it was rather underwhelming. Just some local bands, folk dances, no special food at all, and some standard fireworks. If you do go this route, make sure you have the correct day, as in Bayeux, they held the celebration on the 13th, not the 14th.

With teens, I would definitely pick Paris. They will never forget this unique experience. I wouldn't bother with the parade, but get special stuff to eat and find a good spot at the park.

As indicated by the first reply, the evening before the National Holiday features many street parties, often centered on the neighbourhood fire halls. Here is a link from last year indicating the scope and schedule http://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/major-events/bastille-day-in-paris/fireman-s-ball-in-the-fire-stations/balls-in-fire-stations No doubt it will be updated for 2015 at some point.

Having been in the Netherlands for Queen's Day as well, I would say that public behavior in Paris for their holiday is far superior to either the Netherlands then, or New York City on St. Patrick's day. A better description than "sorta crazy", and one more useful to tourists might be, "some museum closings, multiple crowded locations, parade traffic disruptions, and a pleasantly festive atmosphere." We accepted a long-distance view of the Champ de Mars fireworks to avoid the worst crowds and toughest transit experience.

The Louvre is free that day and uncrowded (or it was when we were there a few years ago on Fete Nationale) The locals have other things to do and the tourists don't know it is free.

The parties on the evening before are fun and easy to join in. The fire works are great -- but I would not want to be on the Champs du Mars myself. Definitely don't use the metro near there to get home afterwards -- it is crazy crowded. Only time I was ever afraid in France was then -- we got out of the station asap -- I had images of being trampled like at the those soccer match disasters.

We were in France just a couple of years ago on Fete Nationale and staying in Burgundy and drove around the countryside that day visiting villages. Most restaurants in the countryside were closed and most gas stations were closed; we got lunch at a small lovely place in Chateneuff en Auxois and luckily the Chateau was open to tour. (we had seen this lovely edifice from the highway driving pass many times) We had no success in finding events in the small town in which we were staying. It was certainly not Paris where there are parties in every arrondissement that one can join in and wonderful fireworks display. Nothing like that was going on in the village we were staying in although I am sure there were private parties. We did look specifically for scheduled events in the area and found nothing.

I can't imagine avoiding Paris at this time. It is the place to be. It is easy to avoid Bastille day festivities and just enjoy the usual Paris things, but it is also easy to join in the celebration. This was not so in the countryside in our limited experience.

I have actually planned my trip to Paris around this day purposefully! I would think that teenagers would love the festive atmosphere but would assume like others have said that the metro would be chaos. I would just walk back your accommodations after the fireworks.

I was there on July 14 in 2011. I will never get used to calling it anything but Bastille Day.

July 13 was my first full day in Paris ever and I truely wore myself out. Since the 14th was a holiday, I decided to not stick to my schedule and just go with the flow and see what happened. It was a wonderful day. Parade on the right bank but many of the groups of military continued to march in form across the river and to the left bank. Air show was interesting as I had not seen one since I was a child. There is a huge military presence with trucks, tanks, an the like sitting in the street on Geoerge V where kids were allowed to climb on and in.

The Arch de Triomphe was closed off and people couldn't get near it (at least during the part of the day I was close to it). large stages and the like were set up by the ET and I had to walk around to get there, but it was interesting to see how they do things. Big music performance in the evening.

I'm not one for big crowds like that but earlier in the day scouted out a place along the river at the river end of Avenue Bosquet and showed up there between 10 and 10:30 for fireworks. It is neaerly 11 before it is dark enough. Great pics of fireworks and the ET. There were several people there but room enough to sit on a light post base or many locals brought chairs. I was told by my hotel person that that is the only day all year they have fireworks, not year round like we do for ball games and the like so it is very special.

There are many food vendors on the street that day, cooking and selling. Good smells abound. It was a very pleasant day and I had a chance to just enjoy Paris without worrying about tickets and time schedules. If you have time to do things important to you and still enjoy being Parisian instead of a tourist on the holiday, do it.

Hello:
I celebrated Bastille Day in Paris a number of years ago, had a blast, and wonder why people would want to avoid this city during an national celebration that only a tiny portion of visitors to that city will ever experience. Here is my story:

In late 1997 I made my airline reservation with the specific purpose of being in Paris on Bastille Day to see the parade down the Champs Elysees. Later my brother told me that I would be in the city during the finals of the World Cup which made me really look forward to this vacation.

On the morning of July 14 I took the Metro to Place de la Concord and walked along the parade route to find a place from where to watch the parade. Not knowing how how much time the parade would take I was looking for a spot with nearby rest rooms. A spot near the Arc de Triomphe fit the bill because it was close to a McDonalds (shudder!) that opened early. Here is what I learned about the military parade. Every guidebook that I read said that the parade route was from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. This is correct. What they don't say is that the staging area is on the Champs Elysees itself: the marching units line up starting near the presidential palace and stretch back towards the Arc with the vehicles at the rear. So, unless you stand somewhere between the palace and the Place de la Concorde you will miss all of the marching units. I was standing by the tanks and wondered why I never saw any troopers going down the street. Evidently this confused even French nationals.

The parade itself starts at 10:00 as I recall and lasts about one hour. It starts with the Republican Guard which is one of the last mounted units in Europe. Next up is a guest military unit; in the past these have been "red coats" from across the Channel, marines from Brazil, all of the EU nations, last year it was a small contingent from every country that participated in World War I. Next up are the cadets from the elite military schools. After them come students of the various specialty military schools to be followed by the combat units of which the French Foreign Legion follows the pack with their shower than usual marching cadence. Somewhere along the way are members of the Paris fire department who are carrying either a fire ax or an assault rifle (the FD is under the jurisdiction of the military). Then come the military vehicles: tanks, scout cars, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft vehicles... Then there is an overflight of an AWACS style plane and a fleet of helicopters. It is all over in an hour.

Most of the day was spent on the Right Bank in the Montmarte neighborhood especially around Sacre Coeur. Then I walked to the Trocadero and watched the Eiffel Tower fireworks. It was a friendly crowd except for the punks who liked to throw fireworks at people including the police who shrugged it off. The part of the story that initially seemed to be burdensome was the fact that the Metro stations closed at their usual time, around 12:30 am, despite it being a national holiday and with masses of people like me stranded aways from their residences. However, it was a very pleasant walk back to the hotel. Bought a sausage on a bun from a street vendor for dinner. It was a great July 14, and I hope you do not miss it in Paris.

"wonder why people would want to avoid this city during an national celebration " isn't exactly the point. The point is to know what there is beyond Paris in order to make decisions. It's nice that everyone enjoyed Paris. The difference is that in Paris you are a spectator to someone's celebration, unless you go to a street dance on the 13th, which no one mentioned doing.

In a smaller venue you are more likely to have the opportunity to be a participant instead of an observer. For example, instead of watching a military parade on the Champs Elysee, you might be walking in a parade in the evening of the 13th with the people in the town as the children carry lit lanterns symbolizing heads, followed by the outdoor dance. On the 14th, every village has a wreath laying at the war monument--often followed by an aperitif offered to everyone present. There may be a communal meal, allowing you to eat at a long table with others. It's a more intimate, backdoor experience, as you integrate with the other vacationers and townspeople. And there will be fireworks in the evening.

The op has the advantage of staying in a b&b where the owners can tell them what's taking place. Without that, and if you don't read enough French to read posters announcing events, it might all pass under your nose. The point is that Paris is nice and fun, but there is life beyond Paris, which gives her choices.

Bets that sounds idyllic.. but my relatives that live outside Paris normally just have a backyard barbeque and have friends and family over.
And frankly.. the fantasy of sharing that lovely scene you describe is more likely to be enjoyed if one actually speaks French.. its hard enough to have small town people ( the French in particular) open up to total strangers.. but those who don't even speak French have very little chance of this blending..
You speak French don't you?
You may have friends or relatives there ( as I do) .. and that has always made it much easier for me then mingle via their connections.

I had absolutely no idea people thought the French were cold or standoffish till I started in on travel forums many years ago.. since all my personal experiences were completely different then average tourists.. staying with family, living in neighborhoods , being introduced as a family member etc.. I don't think it would be the same experience for tourists with no connections.. I thought everyone I met was jolly and warm.. lol

Pat, Granted we're a bilingual family which makes it easier to join local festivals or events wherever we are in France. OTOH, in the family village, I've been very happy to see English-speaking tourists become part of the festivities, too. It would be great if everyone got to enjoy both Paris and smaller venues.

Hi,

If you have the chance time-wise of being in Paris on 14 July, I suggest stick around for that. Going to Tours can wait a day.

I've been only once in Paris on that day. That was in 2009 when during that trip, finally made it point to be there in Paris for that momentous event. Other times I was in Metz, Arras, or in Germany. But Paris is it for this event combining a tremendously festive mood and security, a good and pleasant cultural experience.

If you don't stay in Paris on 14 July and plan to go by train to Tours, buying tickets last minute might be all sold out or are too expensive. In 2001 I was in Metz on 14 July, wanted to take a day trip to Thionville by regional train, ended up not doing it.

My husband and I will also be in Paris for "Fete Nationale" with 2 18 year old granddaughters. I am so glad to read all of the positive posts! I have been in other small towns in France on the 14th and it was just noisy loud rock music into the wee hours making it impossible to sleep. We will be staying on Rue Cler so will be in walking distance of most events. My only concern is that we are flying home on the 15th and need to leave for the airport at 6:30 a.m. We usually get a shuttle. Opinions appreciated.

Barb.. I would phone and order a taxi from G7 taxis the day before.. actually I would phone them the morning of the day before to see if they are fully booked or not..
They are a great taxi company,, they charge the metered rate ( but like all taxis will arrive with money on the meter as they turn on the meter as soon as they drive to get you )
They speak English.. as does the operator who takes your call..

It will likely cost you about 60-65 euros ( there is a legal off meter fee of one euro per suitcase and 3 euros for 3rd and 4th passenger.. this is the same with Taxi Parisien too) but for four of you it makes sense.. since most shuttles run from 15-20 euros each anyways.. so for only a bit more you get a lot of convenience.
They ask when you want the taxi. and when your flight is.. I always lie and say its 30 minutes sooner then it is.. this is just a personal quirk of mine,, I hate being late . When I used them they show up a few minutes early usually anyways.. but its my "just in case" thing.

www.taxisg7.com

We have participated in the occasional village festival in Italy but did not have this experience of Fete Nationale in a small town in France a few years ago. We had had no trouble dancing at a fireman's ball in the outer arrondissement in which we were spending a month in Paris on July 13 a few years ago; we looked for information on public events in the fair size village we stayed in more recently and found none -- and saw none. It was kind of disappointing.