Today is Bastille Day (France's Independence Day) with celebrations that focus on the military and the fire brigades. We decided, when in France...do as the French would do, so at about 8:15 this morning we headed to the Champs Elysees to get our place to see the parade. We did some research the night before to make sure we knew the parade route as well as the times. Now as you would expect there was some information, but not complete information. We decided to take the metro as close to the Champs Elysees as possible and we avoided some stations knowing that they would probably be closed (because they were near to where the bandstand where President Sarkoszy was to be seated) or very crowed. We also planned our walking route. Remember I had said the best made plans...what we quickly discoved is that the French failed to point out on their website the streets, stations or bridges that were closed as a result of the Bastille Day celebration. The metro ride went off without a hitch, however when we exited onto the street and proceeded to the nearest bridge to cross the Seine we found it was blocked and you needed a ticket to cross. We ended up walking back toward our apartment and were not able to cross a bridge until we were almost back home (oh well we thought we had a plan). One thing that was pointed out on the website was that if you did not get to the parade route by 7 you would probably find the route was 15 people deep by 9:00 am. So we expected the crowds we found at 9:15 when we finally arrived at the parade. We found an ok place where the kids could stand on a ledge and hold onto a fence to see a little better. Andrew then found an enclosed area that you needed to be searched to get into. It was a little closer, but there was a long line and they were searching everyone and making them leave any umbrellas and water (so god knows you would probably never see your umbrella again). The area was also several people deep along the rail on the parade route. Andrew and Zach stood in line and when it looked like they were going to get in Linsey, the girls and I joined him only to find out that the women had to be searched by the one woman that was there and it was a separate line. So we opted out of the "secure" area, although Dania managed to sneak ahead and get searched without anyone telling her to go to the end of the line. Another tip that we discovered that you might want to keep in mind if you ever find yourself in Paris for Bastille Day is you can bring your folding ladder and stand on it in order to get a clearer view of the parade, especially for children. It would make an interesting piece of carry on luggage.

The parade was amazing. It began with President Sarkoczy riding through, then followed by a fly over of no less than 50 planes from jets to stealths to fighter planes. The fly-over was followed by approximately 5,000 military personnel and 400 tanks of various types (including camoflage backhoes). Finally the parade ended with a fly-over of 30 helicopters. It was quite spectactular.

On our way home, again searching for a bridge we could cross, we stopped for lunch. While sitting in the cafe the entire tank brigade drove past on it's way to where it belonged, so we got to see it again and even more clearly.

We walked back through the park on the other side of the river where we met the two soldiers (who were buying beers from a roadside vendor) in the picture above. Then through the Champs de Mars which is the park around the Eiffel Tower and right next to our apartment where there was entertainment all day and concerts all night. People were everywhere on blankets and wondering around. We headed home where we stayed and listened to the bands through our open balcony window. Andrew and I decided to take a walk to the boulangerie (bakery). When we walked out of our apartment there were people sitting in every doorway, against the walls and along the curbs eating and drinking. There were empty beer and liquor bottles everywhere and there were thousands of people walking up and down our street throughout the day and evening. We found out the next day there had been approximately 1 million people in the Park during the Bastille Day Festivities.

At 11:00 was a firework show over the Eiffel Tower and we had front row seats from our apartment balcony. The Eiffel Tower lights were turned off and a fantastic firework display took place that lasted 40 minutes. Incredible! Good-night Paris.