Every year it's the same, but how could I possibly miss Le bal des pompiers (the firemen ball), one of the most traditionnal events around Bastille Day (le 14 juillet in French), our national celebration. For years now, on the eve of Bastille day, most fire stations throughout France offer a ball to whoever wants to join and dance; that is if you're patient enough to wait at least 30 minutes to get into the station! I don't really know why, these balls are extremely popular. More French tradition tomorrow...
Happy Bastille Day, everyone! Oh, I have such fond memories of the pompier's balls!
ReplyDeleteNow that I reread my comment, it seems to fit Eric's post of yesterday, which I missed (so two for one perhaps).
ReplyDeleteJuly must be an exciting time in Paris; Bastille Day, the Tour de France, Pigalle...what a great city!
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny Alexa.
ReplyDeleteHmm, the girls yesterday seemed to light my fire and now Eric has called in the firemen to put it out. Did I mention my luck?
Dancing? Yeah, some big bruiser of a fireman would likely trod my toes into mush.
But wait, isn't that one of the girls from the Sexodrome last week just waiting for a dance invitation? I mean from yesterday's PDP.
Tall Gary, maybe tonight you can get the soCal PDP fan girls to dance with you. Probably not in "sexodrome" style, although I can't speak for everyone.
ReplyDeleteEric, this is a fun shot! Did you wait half an hour to get in to take it? You're really something else, which is why your southern California fans are getting together tonight to celebrate Bastille Day in your honor.
We'll send pictures!
LOL Alexa!
ReplyDeleteEric, they're probably popular because pompiers tend to be hot - not to mention brave and heroic.
Just a guess.
Firefighters are extremely popular in California right now. There's even a Chopper Chick in on the action these days.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to what more is in store from both Eric and Petrea....
How did this tradition start? Sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteHappy July 14th.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know why it's so popular, Eric??? Bien sur, it's the FIREMEN!
ReplyDeleteC'mon, where is Suzy to say:
FIREMEN!
FIREMEN!
FIREMEN!
Hee, hee - I couldn't resist!
Can't wait for the PDP So.Cal. Bastille Eve dinner ce soir!!
Nice t-shirts. Everyone looks like they are having fun.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BASTILLE!!
I guess where there is revolution, there is fire. I can see the connection. Firemen balls, however,...not gonna go there! Alexa said it already! :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy B-Day in Paris! And in Soho- Cal, live it up PDP ladies and gents!
Alexa...NICE ONE! [my gut's aching]
Tall Gary... [Love ya, welcome back my man!]
What a fun tradition! Very festive photo; that woman looks very excited to be there, what a smile! Eric I'm sure you really do know why these are popular; you just wanted to elicit some, um, interesting comments from us. And see, you got Coltrane to talk about firemen balls!
ReplyDeleteAlexa you got Bastille GF!! There must be some special prize for that.
Can't wait to see the photos from the SoCal. PDP Bastille Day dinner! Have a great time everyone!!
Katie...you got me [zinggg!!!]
ReplyDeletekatie -- thanks! I agree that there should be a special prize for Bastille Day GF. Could it be un beau pompier Parisien, pretty please??
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Happy Bastille Day!
ReplyDeleteA Fireman's Ball. And no one has dressed up for the occasion? I would imagine lovely ball gowns and lots of fun and frothy concoctions to wear and yet all I see is t-shirts and jeans. I wonder if different stations have different levels of dressiness...just wondering...
I hope that whatever you decide to do, and whatever you decide to wear, you have a wonderful time doing it!
I'm looking forward to hearing all about the SoCal PDP soiree. Amusez-vous bien! And you'll tell us where to see pix, n'est-ce pas?
ReplyDeleteThe opportunity to dance with some hot men in uniform...why would you NOT go? For women anyhow, haha!
ReplyDeleteAlexa you are too funny!
ReplyDeleteI am just back from the D & J Bistro where we celebrated my sister's birthday and, of course, Bastille Day!
Costumes were encouraged! There was singing and there were games! Eric, you would be proud of me, I tried the Steak Tartare as an appetizer, and it was very good!
There were no good looking pompiers, but one Super Dupont in a cape and some tight tights.
Can't wait for the SoCal photos!
this looks like fun! Happy Bastille Day everyone.
ReplyDeleteAlexa you deserve a prize for Bastille Day GF as well as for your very very funny comment!
Soooo tired. Must stop by before bed, though, and admire the hot firemen (even if I can only see their backsides...oh wait, that's not necessarily a bad thing)! Fire balls...I don't see any redheads *giggle*
ReplyDeleteSorry, I really am very tired!
Happy Bastille Day!
Well, there was no dancing on tables nor using poles as a dance prop (hey, are there firemen poles in Paris?) but there was the finest of convivial company enjoying good food (French) and conversation. But what else could be expected of PDP regulars? We're a great bunch!
ReplyDelete{I wonder if they noticed my red, white and blue Bastille Dayish getup. I arrived early and walked along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Halfway through the walk I got paranoid hoping no one would mistake me for either a Blood (red colors) or a Crip (blue colors).}
Thanks, Eric, for a good dinner and fun evening I would never have had were it not for PDP. Long live PDP!
Firemen poles? I think I just did an Alexa. Make that firehouse or fire station poles (so they can quickly zip down to the fire engine from the second floor dorm).
ReplyDeleteSooo funny, Alexa! And what a great tradition to have le bal des pompiers.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Day!
Looking forward to seeing pics from SoCal PDP. Let us know where to find them...
I've just sent the photos to Eric. Once he posts them, if he wants to, I'll post them as well. Naked girls! Wild men! Wait--no, those aren't the ones I sent, are they?...Don't worry, guys, I sent the ones we took early in the evening, before things got out of hand.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite convivial, wasn't it? My thanks to Eric as well, because he started this phenomenon and it's such a delight.
Tall Gary, you are many things, but I don't think you'll ever be mistaken for a Crip or a Blood.
Tell that to my fractured rib.
ReplyDeleteI thought you got that pole dancing at the Bastille Day party.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think you might be right about the red and blue colors, Petrea. At least I hope you are right.
ReplyDeleteOh, so it must have been that frisky Svitlana from Katowic, Poland with her silly high-stepping moves that ended up kneeing me in the rib cage while I was "Pole" dancing. (Ouch, Sorry).
Eric, the party has been going on all weekend here in Seattle. And I can't believe you don't see what's so attractive about the chance to dance with a firefighter at a neighborhood party ;^). I love seeing this festive photo. SDP salutes French CDPBloggers today.
ReplyDelete-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
Petrea, I hope you all had a wonderful time and can't wait to see the photos!
ReplyDeleteThe Pacific Northwest faction of CDP will be gathering for a picnic and photowalk in Seattle in September (probably the 21st). All are welcome and at least two international travelers have said they are coming. Details about time and place are being nailed down, and we hope all CDPBloggers from BC, WA, & OR can come.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
I just woke up my husband laughing at
ReplyDeleteAlexa's comment! ("Go back to sleep, lovey, I'm celebrating Bastille Day!)
The tradition is enchanting.
French firefighters..... I am in love.... Better steer clear of the Le bal des pompiers, fertility is still with me :)
ReplyDeleteHappy July 14th to everyone!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux 14 juillet! (un peu en retard).
ReplyDeleteI would love to dance with firemen!! Fireworks tonight maybe, Eric?
First connexion from Tokyo. Amazing city, as a French I could not choose one photo a day to create a Tokyo Daily Photo cos here, every single thing seems amazing to me... Thanks Tall G for the different advices you gave me! I'll write to u soon to tell you how it is.
Nite nite!
Heu 'nite nite' because it 12.05am here. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Bastille Day Eric! I guess you're still dancing ...
ReplyDeleteThe So. Cal PDP Bastille Eve was so much fun!! I'm so glad we were able to get together and meet. Thanks to you, Eric for creating Paris Daily Photo - such a great community of truly nice and interesting people!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux 14 juillet to all my French friends. And Happy Birthday (late) to Monica. I visited two Fetes de la Bastille yesterday. Lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteJoyeux 14 Juillet everyone!
ReplyDeleteLast night at our SoCal PDP dinner, we said how thrilling it is to have this global community. The internet is a great equalizer and PDP a central gathering place, with satellites around the world. Eric! You started a phenomenon!
Oh yes, the ladies are correct!
ReplyDeleteIt's the
FIREMEN!
FIREMEN!
FIREMEN! (tm pont girl)
Happy 14th everyone!
I wish the SoCal event was next week when I'll be in SoCal - ah, c'est la vie.
Guille is in Tokyo! Wow!
Happy Birthday Monica!
XOXO for Eric
Happy Bastille Day! I've been doing my part to celebrate in LA, by conserving water and drinking champagne all weekend long! A sacrifice, but I managed!:)
ReplyDeleteSuzy, I just emailed you.
ReplyDeleteS&A Sachs, we'd have loved to have you with us last night!
Next time....
Superbe! Mais..what if there is a fire and all the Firemen are dancing?? Reminds me of that film.."Paris is Burning"! Oh la la!!
ReplyDeleteA splendid FETE NATIONALE to all!! ;-)
Happy Bastille Day, PDP!
ReplyDeleteI have special memories of Bastille Day 1991 in Paris, but I didn't know about le bal des pompiers then ... Was it around at that time?
I'm eager to see the pics from the party, Petrea!
... in case someone hasn't already said it....
ReplyDeleteGood gaw, great balls of fire!
Good call, usE!
ReplyDeleteParisian Heart, I'm gonna let Eric post 'em first, then I'll let you know another spot where you can visit them...
And I mean, it's not like we are here to put any pressure on Eric or anything. No, no.
ReplyDeleteOoh. I like that uselaine. And this is from just 10 days ago. Check out the "Bastille Day" fireworks.
ReplyDeleteMust go out for a bit and will miss the opening GF ceremonies! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, okay Petrea. Missing your own premier on Paris DP. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteWow, TG! I thought he died! And on the Capitol Mall no less. I mean the fireworks. ;^)
ReplyDeleteI guess you'd have to ask the audience, Miss Robinson; I mean Elaine.
ReplyDelete8^)
ReplyDeleteAny moment now...
I thought he was dead too. He didn't sound too bad for his age.
ReplyDeleteI hope he didn't crash on the couch again. I mean Eric.
ReplyDeleteMmm, les pompiers. Here in Montréal, not long ago, some very sexy young Québécois pompiers collecting money for burn victims along a shopping street in my neighbourhood. (I could be their mum).
ReplyDeleteJ'aime bien les bals des pompiers - une tradition populaire.
I wouldn't overdress for such a "populaire" tradition, but I'd certainly wear a summery skirt or dress, not jeans.
I did not crash. I'm just back from the usual fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, it's one am...
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you more tomorrow, but for the time being I let you discover what I did this morning in tomorrow's post...
At my age Jerry Lee Lewis' 72 years don't sound like too many.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eric! We had faith, we really did. 8^D
ReplyDeleteT Gary, it's not the years, it's the mileage, as Indiana Jones said decades ago. JLL just seems more like 104, is all.
Did Eric say EIFFEL TOWER?
ReplyDelete