I remember during my first few years in Paris how excited I would get for events like Nuit Blanche, Fête de la Musique and Quatorze Juillet--theatrical extravaganzas worthy of the French word specTAcle.
Now, the crowds and the banlieue-esque increased noise level are a little less exciting for me. I need a more subtle way to celebrate. In fact, this year, rather than claiming my usual place on the Pont Louis Philippe for the Quatorze Juillet opening flyover, the jets woke me out of a deep sleep. Oh yes. Bastille Day. I was missing the trails of blue, white, and red patriotism. I lay under my rattling roof and pictured each plane by its sound, as one by one they rumbled through my apartment.
I watched bits of the parade on TV, where I was impressed anew by the parachuters. They fall out of the helicopter backwards (with rave-like faith that someone ... or something ... will catch them), give the thumbs up, and then swoop gracefully over the city (which seems so much bigger in an aerial view). They land precisely in front of the President's review stand. Amazing!
No matter how many years go by, I will never grow tired of the evening fireworks. They always work their magic ... laced in and around the ironwork of the Eiffel Tower. Add a swirling disco ball and a Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and the spectacle turns truly memorable.
The sky explodes. Shooting stars. Cascading jewels. Fluttering sparkles. Fiery brushstrokes. All forms of light and sound. And as the smoke hangs heavy in the reddened sky, the scene becomes reminiscent of the shock and awe of recent wars. And we make ourselves believe it's about freedom.
Meredith Mullins is a fine art photographer, photography instructor, and Director of the International Fine Art Photography Competition. Her work can be seen at www.meredithmullins.artspan.com or in her award-winning book, In A Paris Moment. She is also available for private photography instruction/exploration in Paris. Contact her at [email protected].
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
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