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VE Day 80th Anniversary

We will be in Paris on the 80th anniversary of VE day. Will there be any commemorations to see? Fireworks? Flyovers?

Posted by
10579 posts

There is usually a pretty small procession, and a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on VE Day. This year with it being the 80th, it will probably be bigger, but I don't know if anything has been published yet about the plans.

Posted by
1767 posts

There will be a celebration in Reims, where the surrender was signed. I imagine there will something memorable. Maybe check the tourist authority for Reims?

Posted by
1804 posts

VE day is a public holiday in France. There will be something almost anywhere there's a memorial in the way of a rememberance, and usually there's a special church service. The most moving one I've attended was in the small town of Arracourt last year where the local French Army unit actually came with a color guard and laid a wreath at the memorial.

I've never seen fireworks. But I was not, and am not, going to be at the major sights in Normandy.

The French remember WWII in a way that's totally different from the USA.

Posted by
68 posts

Yes, May 8 is a public holiday but as far as I can tell museums etc will not be closed.

Posted by
15284 posts

"but as far as I can tell museums etc will not be closed."

No, many museums close for May 1 but not for May 8.

Posted by
1767 posts

Kim,
Thanks for the link. I won't be going to France this year, but I enjoyed reading about the plans. BTW, when I clicked the li nk, after a few seconds it switched to English.