Paris Muse

Download the full program here, and visit the official Nuite Blanche site.

Don’t forget to free up your calendars this October 6 for the 11th edition of Nuit Blanche!

This year the theme is “Disco Days” – get ready to boogie Paris! And remember, if you can’t see the show, head to paris.fr and watch the show live streaming.

The traditional military parade of July 14th will be held on the Champs Elysées in the 8th arrondissement. The troops will march starting at 9:00, from the Arc de Triomphe to Concorde.

After “Africa” in 2010, and “overseas” in 2011, the official theme of the parade will be “l’armée en mutation” (“changing the military”) and, for the first time, the peacetime soldiers and UN soldiers will participate in the military parade. Among the highlights of the show: the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Bir Hakim, the 70th anniversary of the creation of three units of the Free French Air Forces (FAFL), the 70th anniversary of the creation of the signal corps with honors to eight signal regiments, and the 220th anniversary of the Marseillaise.

9:10: The troops take place on foot and on motorcycle at the Étoile/Champs-Élysées site.

9:20: Inspection of the troops by the general officers commanding the foot parades and motorcades.

9:45: The honour guards of the Garde Républicaine take place, Place de l’Étoile and Place de la Concorde.

10:00: Arrival of the President of the Republic, Avenue de Friedland. Welcome by Adm. Édouard Guillaud, French Armies Chief of Staff, and Army Corps General Bruneau Dary, Military Governor of Paris. Troops review.

10:20: Honours rendered to the President of the Republic, Place de la Concorde, by the First Infantry Regiment of the Garde Républicaine.

10:25: Opening event.

10:40: Opening flypast commanded by Aerial Division General Patrick Charaix, Deputy General of the National Territory, Commander of Air Defence and Air Operations.

10:45: Troops parade on foot commanded by Brig. General Denis Heck, Territorial Deputy General to the Military Governor of Paris.

11:15: Mounted troops parade. Motorcade commanded by Division General Martial de Braquilanges, Commander and Chief of Staff of Corps 3 of Marseille.

11:30: Closing helicopter flypast.

11:35: Closing event by the Paris Fire Brigade.

11:40: Departure of the President of the Republic.

(parade schedule via parisinfo.com, and is from 2011 – routes/times may alter for 2012)

Photo via Bals des Pompiers website

The Brigade of Firemen of Paris (BSPP) organizes its traditional dances on the occasion of July 14th.

From 21:00 to 4:00, on the 13th and/or 14th, the firefighters will host this event with DJs (and some of the pompiers even do Full Monty-style stripping). An entry fee may be charged, if not, donations are gladly accepted. The money raised will be used to improve working conditions of the staff. View some videos of the event here.

Here is a map of the locations:

Le Bal des pompiers locations and dates in Paris:

CS CHALIGNY
26, rue de Chaligny – 75012 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS MASSENA
37, boulevard Masséna – 75013 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS COLOMBIER
11, rue du Vieux Colombier 75006 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS GRENELLE
6, Place Violet – 75015 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS BLANCHE
28, rue Blanche – 75009 PARIS
On july 13

CS ROUSSEAU
21, rue du Jour – 75001 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS MONTMARTRE
12, rue Carpeaux – 75018 PARIS
On july 13

CS BOURSAULT
27, rue Boursault – 75017 PARIS
On july 13

CS LANDON
188, quai de Valmy – 75010 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS BITCHE
2, place de Bitche – 75019 PARIS
On july 13

CS SEVIGNE
07-09, rue de Sévigné – 75004 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CS MENILMONTANT
47, rue Saint-Fargeau – 75020 PARIS
On july 13

CS PORT-ROYAL (CSM)
53-55, boulevard Port-Royal 75013 PARIS
On july 13 and 14

CDS
Arènes de Lutèce, 4 rue Monge – 75005 PARIS
On july 13

It’s the time of year when France celebrates its birth as a modern nation and its revolutionary roots. If you can brave the crowds and endure the wait required to obtain a prized spot, the fireworks show is absolutely spectacular when viewed from near the Eiffel Tower. This year the Bastille Day musical theme is Disco years (70s – 80s) – see the soundtrack here (pdf).

Starting at around 10:45 pm, and lasting approximately 30 minutes, the fireworks will be set off from the Trocadero gardens. To make the most of the fireworks show, it is advisable to be on the opposite shore (side Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel). Le parvis des droits de l’Homme (court of human rights) at Place du Trocadéro is also an ideal place to enjoy the fireworks.

To watch the fireworks in the best conditions, it is strongly advisable to come early and be patient. Avoid taking your car or bus: Metro and RER are by far the best way to get there. Similarly, all the Vélib ‘stations around the Champs de Mars will be empty and inaccessible. Note that in the course of the evening, many metro stations will be closed gradually.

Re-visiting an older post of ours, if you’re not inclined to head to the Champ de Mars and endure the crowds, here are some other vantage points around the city:

Restaurant Georges
Boasting some of the finest panoramic views of Paris, this is a great (if somewhat pricey) setting from which to view the show. It is located in the famous “inside-out” building, aka the Pompidou Centre, Paris’ best-known modern art museum.

Passerelle Debilly
This footbridge bestriding the Seine is near the Eiffel Tower. Great scenery and beautiful reflections in the water of the spectacle. (see on Google maps)

Place de Breteuil
In the 7th arrondissement, Place de Breteuil is a square near the Duroc metro station. From here you get a clear view of the Eiffel Tower. It could be the place to go if you want to see the show and avoid the crowds in the more popular destinations. (see on Google maps)

Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Nestled the 19th arrondissement, this is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, and from here you can enjoy the spectacle while relaxing in the splendor of the grass on a hillside. (see on Google maps)

Sacré-Coeur
From this high vantage point in the 18th arrondissement you will have great panoramic views of the lights in the sky; but be forewarned: the area around the Sacré-Coeur will likely be crowded as this is a popular area with tourists. Get there early.

Videos by David Maginot

via Grand Palais