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Post by kdenson on May 21, 2008 19:01:03 GMT -5
OK, I am really confused. On the TA threads, people are saying that all monuments and museums and restaurants will be closed on the 14th. However, when I go to the websites of the monuments we plan to visit that day, they do not list it as a day that they are closed. Should I trust these websites? Most say they are closed May 1, November 1, and Descember 25, I think. What to do???
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Post by Truffaut on May 21, 2008 20:47:48 GMT -5
Bastille Day (which is not called that in France) isn't really as big a deal as people on this side of the ocean think it is. Nearly everything will be open, except maybe the smallest mom & pop places. Government buildings and schools will, of course, be closed. Museums generally don't follow the government schedule, however. I'd trust the websites.
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Post by kdenson on May 22, 2008 7:37:30 GMT -5
:)I know that it's not called that in France! Thank you for the tips. I have been in France for la fete nationale twice before, but never in Paris, just smaller towns, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I will go by the websites and hope for the best. Thanks!
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Post by GitteK on May 22, 2008 8:20:52 GMT -5
>>>>..........isn't really as big a deal as on this side of the ocean think it is.<<<<
WHAT ??!!  If that is true, then the French must certainly have changed their attitude towards "la fête nationale" since 2006 ! If a few million people, French and tourists alike, celebrating and roaming the streets of Paris, as if the city were one big market fair, with bandstands etc. can not be considered a "big deal" - then I for one am totally clueless of what a French "big deal" may be. Short of revolution, perhaps ?  |
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Post by Anne on May 22, 2008 10:25:14 GMT -5
I don't think that I have ever been in Paris on "le 14 juillet", but it is quite a big deal even in the province . Every town has its fireworks and bal(s) and sometimes a small military défilé (but NOTHING that compares to the Parisian one on TV  ) . Shops are closed, at least in non-touristic areas . In touristic areas, like on the seaside, shops usually follow their Sundays rule : like if the shop is closed on Sundays afternoons, it will be closed on the 14 juillet afternoon too . |
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Post by geordy on May 22, 2008 10:43:04 GMT -5
When I was there for Bastille Day(aka my S/O's B'day! ;D) it was a tad over shadowed by France winning the World Cup of Soccer 2 days before!
I'd trust the websites. As for restaurants, quite a few were closed I was concerned as to where we would have S/O's birthday! Our hotel had a full service restaurant which closed for the holiday. They were still doing limited room service so had some staff in and they offered to serve us diner on our balcony.which was large with a view of the Eiffel Tower and the tippy top of the Arc de Triumph!
It might be like here with the 4th..the nearer it falls to a weekend(and the 14th is a Monday) the bigger deal it is.
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Post by Laidback on May 22, 2008 11:35:01 GMT -5
I think that you will find that the fête de quatorze juillet will be an enormous party in Paris with many people hung over but still celebrating from the bals des pompiers held the night before in practically every "fire station" in Paris. There are usually huge parades down the Champs Elysées with fly overs of military jets. The Place Bastille seems to be one of the craziest locations, but in my experience, most any place in central Paris will be celebrating. It is for this reason that I avoid being in Paris at the time in order to keep my aversion to crowds in check. If you are young and/ or a party animal you will probably love it. If you are my age and have become some what of a recluse avoid it.
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Post by Truffaut on May 22, 2008 14:24:41 GMT -5
Gitte,
What I meant is that it's not as if the entire city comes to a grinding halt for the holiday. There are still shops, museums, tourist attractions, etc. open for business as usual.
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Post by GitteK on May 22, 2008 14:31:45 GMT -5
OK - now I understand it better. Nothing stops - au contraire !!  Oh, I must go to Paris in July again ! I have promised myself that in 2014, I'll be there to celebrate the 225 years anniversary for the revolution. |
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Post by Anne on May 23, 2008 5:58:46 GMT -5
But Gitte, why wait until the 225th anniversary in 2014 Next year will be the 220th anniversary . I know that you have already planned your dates for next year, but after all, you haven't booked your appartment yet . And even if you don't want to modify your dates, what could stop you to take two or three days off, jump into one of your scandalously cheap DK-France flights and enjoy the 14 juillet in Paris  ? |
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) . Shops are closed, at least in non-touristic areas . In touristic areas, like on the seaside, shops usually follow their Sundays rule : like if the shop is closed on Sundays afternoons, it will be closed on the 14 juillet afternoon too .
Oh, I must go to Paris in July again !
?
hahahha