Yesterday was the 14th of July (14 Juillet) in France which is very similar to the 4th of July in the U.S. commemorating their “independence” and the storming of the Bastille (a prison which housed political prisoners). It’s a huge event in France and is celebrated by most villages having some sort of a fireman’s ball with music and fireworks.
We chose pack a picnic of sandwiches (no wine, can you believe it!?) and to drive into Paris and join the million or so people who would be celebrating by listening to the music of Johnny Hallyday, who is apparently HUGE here but from what I could tell, he seems to mostly do covers of American songs in French. Not the highlight of the evening for me, but it made the waiting for the fireworks bearable.
Some amazingly beautiful architecture we saw on the way to the Eiffel Tower. I mean, really, really beautiful. What does one have to do to live in one of those apartments?! Other than be someone else’s servant?!
This building was like a stone’s throw away from where we were sitting. Absolutely spectacular!
House boats on the Seine (a dream of Hubby’s and the only way he claims I’ll ever be able to get him to move back to Paris!).
Our spot in front of the Eiffel Tower, where we waited for a good 4 or 5 hours.
Us, waiting the 4 or 5 hours for the fireworks to begin, probably listening to music from Johnny Hallyday who we couldn’t see on the big screen because of people walking in front of (and sometimes ON TOP OF) us! There were a few aggressive acts, perhaps one or two on behalf o members of our party, but it was REALLY annoying having people stepping on your fingers and toes after a while.
Oliver reflecting on why he’s up so late past his bed time… (Notice the pink spots on his upper lip; the result of a nose dive into the gravel he took on one of our first visits to a park! It matches the scabs on his knees and legs. All souvenirs from our summer in France I guess!)
Oliver giving Daddy a calin (caress).
Eiffel Tower lit and ready for fireworks!
The beginning of the fireworks.
Can you say absolutely ENTHRALLED?! He wasn’t afraid or anything, just intrigued by the fireworks and show.
And a couple of videos for your viewing pleasure.
(In this second video, the lights make it look like the tower is dancing! It was more impressive in real life!)\
It was such a great evening, despite the hassle of having to deal with over a million people in such a small space. In the end I think we were all content to have passed the evening celebrating le 14 Juillet with friends in front of the Eiffel Tour.
July 15, 2009 at 12:58 pm
WOW is all I can say! The architecture is beautiful, the pictures and video are amazing. I can’t believe you took those videos with your phone! I’m enjoying your travels and adventures as this is likely the only way I’ll ever “see” France. And Oliver is definitely enthralled, what a good boy to wait all that time. Looking forward to more pics and videos! And you can look forward to lots more scabs and bruises, it’s pretty much a given with little boys!
July 15, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Your pictures are fabulous and…I think…yeah..yeah…I THINK I CAN SEE MY NOTE ON THE EIFFEL TOWER!!
July 15, 2009 at 3:05 pm
It must have been amazing!! Thanks for sharing the pictures! Love the one of Oliver! He has the best expressions!
July 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm
WOW and tres bon! Good grief, what a wonderful vacation. Plus you all look so happy, great post and I thank you for sharing!
July 15, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I can’t wait for Oliver to start really talking and expressing his thoughts – he makes the best faces, and I’m so eager to hear what he’s thinking.
Frank you look wonderful! I hope you’re feeling as healthy as you look.
July 15, 2009 at 7:41 pm
The Eiffel tower is the perfect venue for fireworks. Oliver was obviously thrilled by it all. I remember my elder boy liked watching fireworks but hated the noise, the younger one loved it all!
You all look so well and happy, life in France is definitely agreeing with you.
July 15, 2009 at 8:44 pm
The pictures are gorgeous. The architecture is what really intrigues me.
What a good boy Oliver is being on the trip!
July 16, 2009 at 4:24 am
How fun to see the fireworks in a different country. Wow…waiting for four hours…you are MUCH more patient than me
I love hearing the people talking in French! That architecture seems unreal–I can’t believe you were so close to it all! Thanks for sharing your day!
July 16, 2009 at 5:33 am
Those are great photos!! So glad you are having such a memorable time!! Just seeing your pictures made me smile!
Frank – you look great! You look happy and healthy!! Thankfully this summer is much better than last!
July 16, 2009 at 6:18 am
Absolutely Spectacular!! Thank you for sharing with us Frank!!
July 16, 2009 at 8:28 am
I’m glad you’re having a good visit! (Minus the waiting for the fireworks.)
On a side note- you look AMAZING. So healthy and happy.
July 16, 2009 at 4:31 pm
So amazing! Beautiful pictures.
July 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I can only hope that someday I will be able to travel and see some of the sights that you have seen, AMAZING!! You’re so lucky Oliver is such a great kid!
July 21, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Dude, you look HAWT!
And also? How did you get O to wait 4-5 hours on a sidewalk? That would have been impossible with my particular brand of monkey.
The building in the second picture – I recognize it from the one time 14+ years ago that I went to Paris. Stunning, no? I spent most of my days just walking around, gawking at the architecture, not caring what they were or who laughed at me.
**SO JEALOUS**