English
June 14 is the Bastille Day or Fête Nationale and Paris dresses for the occasion. For those visiting the city this day becomes memorable because you may feel and experience the pride of the Parisians for its history, since it recalls the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy.
July 14, like every year, Parisians gather to watch the parade live or on television. The parade led by the highest political authority, with foreign authorities invited, takes place during the morning at the Champs-Elysée. As every year, the show opens with the presentation of the cadets of the Ecole Polytechnique de Saint Cyr, École Navale. What is most striking is the overflight of aircraft of the Patrouille de France, leaving smoke trails in the air with the colors of the French flag.
While this day is commemorated in a very political way, as the President may pardon convicts and meets with the press, in addition to a party in the gardens of the Palais de l´Elysée, the normal citizen participates in different festivals, decorating his home with tricolor banners and preparing to watch the fireworks.
It´s called Bastille Day because July 14, 1789 the people of Paris over took the prison which was located in the Bastille, wich the symbol of the despotic reign of Louis XVI, marking the beginning of the French Revolution and of wishes fror Freedom , Equality and Fraternity which are symbolized in the three stripes of the French flag. On August 26, 1789 the Constituent Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Man, which defines the personal and collective rights as universal, being a precursor of the Declaration of Human Rights the United Nations proclaimed in 1948.
The storming of the Bastille began the French Revolution that marks the beginning of humanity being aware of their rights and aspirations of a world with more freedom, hence this day is the pride of the French and a day all mankind recalls.
But if you are in Paris for the holidays, you can not miss some activities that are classic, like being part of the torchlight parade which takes place the night before. The next day, a classic go to the Eiffel Tower to watch the fireworks or the Champ de Mars. Another place but that is very crowded at night is the Place du Trocadéro. There you will find families with children because it is the best place to see how the fireworks lights up the sky of Paris.
Also, that day the city is filled with music and dancing. A great scene is go to the ball of fire and the Republican picnic takes place at the Chateau de Versailles park. If you want music, in the Champs de Mars there are free concert from 17 hours.
For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day
Nancy Guzman
For unforgettable moments rent apartments in Paris and enjoy an unlimited summer in the city that gave birth to modern society.
