celebrating bastille day

by Sharon Santoni

bastille day, my french country home

Although I don’t consider myself much of a patriot, I have to confess to a definite weak spot when it comes to Bastille Day.

bastille day, my french country home

This day of national celebration in France comes at the height of the summer, filled with happy associations: a holiday;  street parties; firework displays and most of all the military parade down the Champs Elysée.

bastille day, my french country home

In today’s world, a military parade may seem incongruous, but In Paris, it is perceived less as a show of power, and more as a celebration and recognition of the brave men and women who wear a uniform for France

A two hour parade, high in precision, high in colour, and this year, as it marks the 100 year remembrance of the first world war, high in emotion too.

bastille day, my french country home

The centre of the city is cordoned off, as regiments from all over France fall into line, with perfect timing and march, drive, ride or fly down the famous avenue.

So this morning, although I was at a brocante fair before dawn, I hurried home to be able to watch some of the parade on the television.

The complex organisation of this event is totally fascinating, and I’m touched by the evident pride on the faces of the soldiers, firemen, policemen and horsemen,  as they play their individual role in this impressive display.

bastille day, my french country home

From me to you,

Happy Bastille Day , wherever you are!

13 comments

Annie Vanderven July 14, 2014 - 2:35 pm

Watching these young men wearing the uniform my Grandfather wore in WW1 and WW2 gave my heart a squeeze, cannot help but being proud of my country

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Jane July 14, 2014 - 2:48 pm

What a beautiful way to show a French celebration!

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Peggy Braswell July 14, 2014 - 3:06 pm

a wonderful day xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Lory Bernstein July 14, 2014 - 3:16 pm

Happy Bastille Day to you!! Such lovely flowers and the line of flags is splendid… 🙂

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Mary Kay Crouch July 14, 2014 - 3:20 pm

Sharon, I’m wishing we could have stayed a few more days to take in the Bastille Day celebrations. Sending warm wishes from Seattle, for a beautiful and safe Holiday!

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Botanic Bleu July 14, 2014 - 3:24 pm

Sharon,
Such a wonderful collection of Bastille Day images! Thank you for sharing these.

Judith

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Jeanne McKay Hartmann July 14, 2014 - 3:37 pm

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet, Sharon! Your photos are wonderful. XO

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Lucia Donahower July 14, 2014 - 4:19 pm

Sharon, Happy Bastille Day! Enjoyed seeing your photos of the parede.
Thank you for sharing!
Lucy in California

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Lorrie July 14, 2014 - 4:29 pm

Bonne fête, Sharon!

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Mary in Oregon July 14, 2014 - 5:15 pm

Merci, encore, Sharon. Love-in-the-Mist is such a beautiful flower and it spreads so easily! Love the photos of the parade. Someday, even though everyone does not encourage me to travel in July, I would like to be there to celebrate le 14 juillet!!!

Mary in Oregon

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Penelope July 14, 2014 - 5:51 pm

It’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I am celebrating in my heart here in America with images in my mind of France and my last holiday there in May! LOVE!!!

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Colleen Taylor July 15, 2014 - 12:52 am

Happy Bastille Day Sharon from the center of the US. Not where I live but where I currently am right now. Those are the most gorgeous & brilliant photos of flowers I’ve ever seen, not that I don’t love all your photos because I do. X

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Delaine July 15, 2014 - 6:41 pm

Happy Bastille Day! Thank you for sharing your world in so many ways!

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