Im traveling alone and want peoples reccomendations for Bastille day plans.
Im already planning on seeing the fireworks.
Any suggestions for the daytime?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
If you want to see what everybody else is looking at on Bastille Day, go watch the parade along the Champs Elysees. A mass of flying machines adds to the noise. You'll miss it all if you go wandering off on a picnic.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
"Or how about enjoying Paris Plages along the Seine."
Wow. I thought this response odd, and then checked Steve's own link to be sure. The first sentence on the web page Steve linked to confirms Paris Plages won't have started by tomorrow.
Posted by
OP
boston
4 posts
Here I go...I found this link to be helpful for positioning myself in the city and navigating the festivities...http://www.ehow.com/how_2176163_watch-bastille-day-parade-paris.html
Posted by
San Francisco
15472 posts
I did this in 2009...you might want to try it: be in front of the Opera House at 1500. The French Army will show up too with some of their vehicles including tanks for a public relations display. Lots of tourists want their picture taken with the troops, and there was music by army musicians.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Which Opera House?
Posted by
San Francisco
15472 posts
The opera house for which you get off at the Metro stop "Opera", not far from the American Express on Rue Scribe.
Posted by
OP
boston
4 posts
Its 2:07, I just retuned. Heres how the day went;
Champs Elysee parade: Hint do not stand close to L'etoile as you will miss part of the parade procession.
Afternoon back to my flat to rest.
Left for the fireworks at 1000 from Gare du Nord, got there in plenty of time.
Brought dinner with me...croisants which I purchased from a local grocery store and two made to eat pre packaged rotissery chicken legs (which by the way was the best ready to eat rotissery chicken Ive ever had)!
Watched them from the Champs du March.Their fireworks rival the very well done July 4th Fireworks of Connecticut Pequot Indians on the Thames river, The Boston firewoks, and the daily Disney fireworks. nothing compares to having a light show and the eiffel tower included in the show!
Afterwards had a glass of white wine and mousse au chocolat at one of the brassieries near the champs.
walked over the bridge to get a less crowed subway car.
Overall there are PLENTY of restaurants open in Paris on bastille day and the crowds, if you are a cityperson like myself, really are no less daunting than what one would experience during the Boston fireworks...except in Paris there are more subway lines and therefore more ways to get home than in Boston.
Thank you all for your advice!