Bastille Day, the French National Day, is celebrated on the 14 of July, usually with fireworks. It is not a huge display of patriotism like Canada Day—I can’t remember spotting any French flags in the crowd!—but a chance to party, drink and enjoy whatever festivities are organized locally.
One of my most memorable Bastille Day celebrations was the one I spent in Beijing, China, in 1999. There were still few foreigners and even fewer French in China back then, and we had been invited to the reception at the French Embassy. They had the nicest and largest French food buffet I had ever seen with all-you-can-drink champagne, imported cheese, bread, etc.—basically everything a French in China may crave.
Most summers, I spent Bastille Day by the seaside, at the family house. The National Day isn’t a big deal there, we just had fireworks by the beach.
This was my first Bastille Day in Nantes, and Mark’s first time seeing fireworks. It was pretty cool although securing a good spot was tougher than I had thought. I tend to stay away from the crowd in France because, unlike Canadians, the French can be pretty pushy and drunk, and fights do happen.
Le feu d’artifice avait l’air superbe! 🙂 Mark avait l’air d’apprécier en tous les cas 🙂
Il n’a ps trop eu peur, ouf!
Amazing that you were there for Bastille Day! Those fireworks are awesome – way better than the ones I saw on Canada Day!
Really? I have good memories of fireworks on the Hill in Ottawa but it does get very crowded.
Looks like so much fun! Lovely pics too. Cammie hasn’t stayed up for fireworks but she does love her sleep (like her mom!).. 🙂
I wish Mark likes sleep more!