Traditionally on the eve of Bastille Day (that we actually call "Le 14 juillet") there are plenty of little Balls throughout France. Some are organized by city halls, some by bars... but the most popular ones are the ones organized by the Pompiers (Firemen). That is where I took this photo last night (Friday) - namely at the rue du jour station - , on the way back from the movie theater where I saw Shrek the 3rd. None of the dancing people photos came up well, sorry... Have a good Bastille day weekend.
Have a great Bastille Day. I wish I was there...
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Weekend to all our French friends!!!
ReplyDeleteCareful Eric on that scooter while you maneuver your way through les défilés du 14 juillet.
ReplyDeleteLoraine
Good, not a parade photo! But I wouldn't mind seeing some of the dancing in this ball, even if the photos were a big blur.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Bastille Day!!! Wish I was there to see the fireworks at Tour Eiffel..
Somebody said Tour Eiffel? lol
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you, though, these fire trucks look a little small compared to the U.S. ones! Of course, a US firetruck would never make it through many of the the smallest streets in Paris, so that's just as well.
As a retired "Pompier" I assume that the fireighters balls are the largest!
ReplyDeleteHurray for the "Pompiers!" Although, I can't imagine navigating through the "Parisian thoroughfares" (Clifford Brown/Max Roach reference)or any rues getting to a fire...or a cat up a tree. Happy Bastille! Viva la France!
ReplyDeleteJust to get people in the mood:
ReplyDeleteAllons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé
L'étendard sanglant est levé
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats!
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Égorger vos fils et vos compagnes
Aux armes citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons! Marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons
...Amour Sacré de la Patrie
Conduis, soutiens nos braves vengeurs
Liberté, Liberté chérie
Combats avec tes défenseurs
Combats avec tes défenseurs
Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
Accoure à tes mâles accents
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et nous, notre gloire
Nous entrerons dans la carrière
Quand nos aînés n'y seront plus
Nous y trouverons leur poussière
Et la trace de leur vertus!
Et la trace de leur vertus!
Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre
Que de partager leur cercueil
Nous aurons le sublime orgueil
De les venger ou de les suivre
Aux armes citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons! Marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons
Ok is it me or I just saw the top of the Tour Eiffel changing into bleu blanc et rouge? (yes I can see the iron tower from here!)
ReplyDeleteAlors...La Fete Nationale!! Enjoy Eric!!! We are watching the defile a Paris..maintenant!! Impressive..wish I were there! Thanks to TV5 Monde!!!
ReplyDeleteThe danse sounds like a good idea as well...as long as they don't ask me to put out any fires! Oh la la!!!
I wonder if it's becasue les pompiers are sexy as all get out! Firemen have that reputation in many places! Oooh, those men in uniforms - men who help,don't arrest you, and don't fire guns at you! (not to forget all the lovely fire women, of course....)
ReplyDeletelol Sally! You're my kind of gal! Happy Bastille Day!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux fête nationale! A French-language group that I belong to is having our own fête today, avec beaucoup de Français. How so many French people ended up in Richmond, Virginia, I have no idea. But I like it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Day!
ReplyDeleteles pompiers...hey!!! ;) eh girls??? lol!
Happy Bastille Day! Please post some photos of the celebrations, Eric!
ReplyDeleteBeing American, I thought of Louis XVI on our July 4th and how my country might not even exist if it wasn't for him .. what a good, sincere man he was (referring to his financial help and that of the French with our American Revolution). I think of him again today on your independence day... and although it sounds unlikely, deep down I do think he'd be happy with how things out for France. France and America will always be linked in the heart and I do believe that they always want the best for each other. . . so thank you Louis, thank you France and thank you Eric for your beautiful blog. Love and respect from America and
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Day!
I love this shot, fantastic!
ReplyDelete