We (family of four) will be in Paris on Bastille Day, which is also a Tuesday, when most museums are closed anyway. What can we expect on that day? Would that be a good day for a day trip or does everything shut down? I'd also thought about just making that our walking around the city day. The kids (12 and 14) might like seeing how the French celebrate. My husband and I have been to Paris, but this is the first visit for the children.
Posted by
Daytona Beach, FL
223 posts
I was in Paris for Bastille Day a few years ago. We watched the parade down the Champs Elysee (crowds are enormous) and then did a self-guided walking tour. In the evening we took a dinner cruise on the Seine. From the boat we watched the fireworks which are really spectacular with the Eiffel Tower in the foreground and reflections in the water. I think it is a great day to be in Paris.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Ashley:
We were in Paris with two kids (13 and 8)for Bastille Day 2004. What a lot of fun that was. Watch the fireworks in front of the Eiffel Tower - but get there early. Also, after the fireworks are over there is a mad crazy rush for the Metro. We laughed and laughed as we got smushed up in the enormous crowds on the platforms and trains. Vive La France! Have fun.
Posted by
Tinton Falls, NJ
792 posts
When you are done helping Ashley; I'll also be in France for Bastille day. I'll be in a little village called Tuchan about 40 minutes from Perpignan and 1 hour from Carcassonne. Should I head toward one of those cities or am I crazy to try to go near a big city for the festivities? Will small villages have something going on for the holiday?
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9222 posts
Jon, your post made me laugh, cause that was what found so amusing too. Everyone all smashed in the Metro, but everyone laughing about it, no one was mad, it was just a good time.
The whole fireworks show was magnificent, we are still raving about it to friends 5 years later! Most people brought picnics to eat on the grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower. It is pretty crowded by 20:00 and you still have to wait until it gets dark, almost 22:30 before the firworks begin.
Two years ago, we were in Bayeux and they celebrated the day before, on the 13th, with fireworks and an all day show near the center of town. Traditional dances, music, etc. Ask your hotel what is going on for this day, they will certainly know.