Today was a very special day. By sheer luck, our vacation to Paris also overlapped with France's National holiday, Bastille Day, which falls on July 14th of every year.
Bastille Day marks an important day in French history. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute power of Louis XVI. By storming - and successfully seizing - the prison on the morning of July 14, 1790, the people of France declared that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers. This pivotal event symbolized the new Republic's three ideals: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and eventually, the creation of the first Republic in 1792. After the storming, there was a huge celebration in the streets that ended in a four-day feast and fireworks, fine wine ... and the French running through the streets naked as a sign of their new-found freedom.
Every year since 1880, there has been a grand French military parade held on the morning of July 14th, passing down the Champs-Elysées from l’Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. The French display their impressive air force, navy and infantry. The French President of the Republic is always in attendance. It is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe. (Below: Image source)
Unfortunately, we did not attend this year's military parade. We were quite tired from the previous day, and could not make it to the Champs-Elysées early enough to guarantee a much-coveted seat along the boulevard. We were able to watch the live broadcast on TV.
Instead, we joined the one million other Parisians and tourists (!) at the Champs-des-Mars for the spectacular evening events. We arrived around 7:00pm to secure a seat at the centre back, and the promenade was already full. We packed a picnic and wine to enjoy with the festivities. At 9:30, just as the sun was setting, the French National Orchestra accompanied a choir and some of France's finest opera singers as they serenaded the crowd for 90 minutes with music by Bizet, Puccini, Verdi, and others. It was sublime.
Then, right at 11:00pm, the stage went quiet, the tower went dark, and the crowd began to cheer.
And the fireworks began.
I have never seen anything so magnificent. For 35 minutes, the biggest fireworks show I have ever seen, choreographed to an upbeat, eclectic mash up of music and dialogue, spanning from the last century. Spice Girls mixed with a speech by Martin Luther King Jr.; Bruce Springsteen spliced with a recording of Nelson-Mandela's voice. It was epic.
Then for the grand conclusion – the pièce de résistance – the Eiffel Tower suddenly lit up in
all the colours of the rainbow to celebrate the passage of the same-sex marriage laws, which were legalized in France less than one month ago (on May 18, 2013). You can watch a YouTube clip here. It was a spectacular finale - a truly moving celebration of freedom and equality. (Below: Image source)
And then it was over. The last explosion echoed through the hills of Montmartre, and Paris cheered.
As you can imagine, it was a bit of challenge to get home that night. But after walking from the Champ-des-Mars to Invalides Métro station, we were able to catch a subway, and we arrived home shortly before 1:00.
Tired, but happy. A day for the history books.
