We will be in Paris on the 80th anniversary of VE day. Will there be any commemorations to see? Fireworks? Flyovers?
Posted by
Paris
10667 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
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1846 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
Alsenborn, Germany
1882 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
Paris
10667 posts
Here's the program for Reims (in French - Judy found that it will switch to English once it recognizes you are looking from a US ISP)
Posted by
OP
68 posts
Yes, May 8 is a public holiday but as far as I can tell museums etc will not be closed.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15406 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
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1846 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.
Posted by
Paris
10667 posts
That is great, Judy !! I will update my entry .