Friday, July 17, 2009

A Bastille Day Celebration

This year is the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower and so the Bastille Day, or le quatorze juillet, celebrations were kicked up a notch. Masses came to the Eiffel Tower's Champ de Mars to celebrate the commemoration of the storming of the Bastille in 1789. Power to the people! Every year there is a grand fireworks display in the evening with musicians playing throughout the day. The sunny afternoon had everyone festively sprawled on blankets filled with foods from every ethnicity. We gathered up picnic items from the morning produce and cheese markets, the local grocery store and had some essentials brought from home. The front and center locations fill up very early, so we were off to the side a little. The musicians played, people danced or just enjoyed the liveliness with food and wine. As evening approached, we were all relaxing with eyes toward the sky. The first fireworks came and teased the crowd as they cheered. As darkness fully settled in, the sky lit up. The Eiffel Tower sparkled and fireworks seemed to come from every level.The tower itself changed colors with it's own light show. The grand finale shot out as the 1812 Overture played and the sky became a kaleidoscope of fire and color.

It was a finale to remember and gave a celebratory power to the people as they all stormed back home.

Written and photographed by Diane.
The last photo was contributed by a friend.

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5 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Quelle Chance to be there~
You have such an adventure filled life! I know you have worked for it:)and you deserve it.

Love the fireworks and the Eiffel tower what could be more romantic?The bottle of wine is cute too..Picnics..wine..bread,,charcute-rie,cheese.
Best meal.

Kathy Walker said...

I enjoyed participating through your pictures! Wonderfully romantic! (There is an old movie here....somewhere...)

Karen @ Mignardise said...

What gorgeous pictures!
You're lucky to spend so much time in Paris.

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

My husband's birthday is on Bastille day. It is also our anniversary and then my birthday is the following day.
We plan on being in Paris on Bastille day next year to celebrate my husbands 60th birthday. Thanks for the peek on what the celebrations are like!
Cheers!
Ry

food with style said...

that was so fun, i LOVED the video! i always love hearing the bells ring in europe...