HAPPY BASTILLE DAY & JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE TO THE EIFFEL TOWER

Le 14 Juillet aka Bastille Day in the rest of the world was celebrated in France and Paris in particular.

But this year was calling for even more celebration since the Eiffel Tower just turned 120! It is my favorite landmark in the world. Usually the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower do not really take place on the Eiffel Tower (like many people may think) It's only for the millennium that the tower was used in such a way. Alek and I were there and it was just the most amazing firework ever.



This fireworks was pretty nice too I have to say. The Eiffel Tower was looking sexier than ever. I am sure it was a nightmare to be there, over 800000 people were expected at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. But I am sure the lucky people who can see the Eiffel tower from their condos must have had a nice time.



Before the fireworks, the famous Champs Elysees hosted the Parade.



I remember when I was in the army I did all I could to avoid taking part of the defile on the champs Elysees. Not everyone has to do it but when I was in the army my 'section' was selected to go to Paris and 'parade' ... at the end I stayed in Bordeaux and went to celebrate with friends at the Cap Ferret, which was a lot of fun too ... shame on me I know ;-)



A simple history of Bastille Day is this: Bastille Day is considered the first day of the French Revolution in 1789. On the morning of July 14, French citizens armed themselves and stormed the Bastille Fortress, which mainly housed political opponents to the French government. The citizens viewed it as their first victory against the government, which they felt was corrupt, and the revolution began. Bastille Day was proclaimed a French national holiday in 1880 and its motto is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."



Once again Happy 14 Juillet a tous.