We will be in Switzerland (Thun) on Bastille Day, and wonder if it makes sense to hop to Laussane, Geneva or even on French side of Lake Geneva to see some celebration. We have the Swiss Pass, but still would like to be somewhere convenient, and not involve spending most of the day on trains.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Bastille Day is a French holiday. As far as I know it's not celebrated in Switzerland.
Posted by
OP
Palo Alto
51 posts
Yes, that's why we are thinking about the French side of Lake Geneva: Evian or Thonon.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I don't think I'd bother although I have no idea what's happening in that area.
The big deal Bastille Day is in Paris. Lyon, Bordeaux, etc, have fireworks. Some places have local dance exhibitions. Some places have a short veteran's day type parade. Some have a thirty-minute civic band concert.
You get the idea. Iffy at best. Probably of short duration. Not worth the trouble.
Posted by
OP
Palo Alto
51 posts
Thanks, Ed! We'll go swimming in Lake Thun then :-)
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9354 posts
We were in Bayeux one year over Bastille Day. They had a program of things like music, traditional dancing and some food and drink stands in a parking lot with a stage. That night they had fireworks. Nice little fest but it all took place on the 13th and not the 14th. So, ask around at your potential hotels in any of the towns you were thinking about visiting, if there will be any festivities at all and on which day.