Avenue George V - le Quatorze Juillet

This is not a usual sight on

Avenue George V

This was at least a vehicle that I could identify

as opposed to the one below which was huge and strange

(photos taken 14 juillet 2008)

Ave George V
75008, Paris

Le quatorze juillet - La Fête Nationale

Le quatorze juillet,

a day of celebration in France and not coincidentally my second blog anniversary!

Two years ago I posted the above photo as I ventured into this daily Paris photoblog, never thinking that I would be able to manage a post every day.  Please look here for the story of how it all started and the friendship I share with Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) who helped me "birth this baby." 

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The photo above shows two French sailors preparing for the grand military parade on Avenue des Champs-Elysées.  I stood on the baricades for hours in order to have a good position to capture the excitement and emotions of the day. 

Now, I have a small oil painting created by Carol Schiff of this moment,

a treasured work of art that I enjoy daily.

Le quatorze juillet

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

75008, Paris

(on this festive day there is no nearby Métro,

bus, taxi so be prepared to walk for miles)



 

Un Bon Soldat

The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals as well as the "regiments." As this soldier walked past me to join his battalion, I requested a photo. He nodded agreement and I quickly snapped.

I imagine maman would be proud to see her son in his fine uniform.


Le Quatorze Juillet
2008

Le Quatorze Juillet!

I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was no immediate need on the globe for assistance. The tanks, the humvees, the trucks, the so-large-I-cannot-imagine what they ares, the horses in finery, the planes, the firetrucks... all of the personnel. The length of this wide avenue was full to overflowing. It was magnificent!

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Today is a special day for me as I started my blog one year ago today. I drove to Birmingham to see Virginia, and the two of us "birthed this baby" so its birthday would always fall on Bastille Day. I will be forever grateful to her for her guidance and wonderful sense of humor as we laughed our way through "delivery."

Thanks to all of you who read my blog and who have, through your own blogs and comments on mine, enriched this experience, sharing a bit of your world with me. I was not sure that I could post 365 days in a row, but it is now just a part of me. Merci beaucoup!

Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each station in Paris on 13-14 juillet. There is much partying in the streets and it is one of the most festive events in Paris.

I wonder if these guys partied all night long... probably not.

Quatre Juillet

Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several years ago to travel to Paris alone for Bastille Day primarily to see the view above. I stood on the barricades for several hours and almost missed this shot as the planes moved overhead so quickly.

I hope that my French friends do not mind that I borrowed this photo to wish everyone in the USA a happy Fourth of July!


Avenue des Champs Elysées

Hail to the Chief!

The procession begins with President Sarkozy who stands tall (?) as he rides down the Champs-Élysées, la plus belle avenue du monde. Obviously, this year's weather does not match the blue skies of 2008 -- I stood alone making friends at the barricades for 4 hours to see the parade from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. Quelle bonne fête nationale!

Inspection for Bastille Day

The last minute inspection before Sarkozy and the procession on Champs Elysees -- The colors and variations of uniforms is mind-boggling!

I am excited to join the community of photo bloggers and all the amazing French/Paris blogs I enjoy! Thanks, Virginia, for your mis-guidance (JB, you too).