Bastille Day

Today was Bastille Day, a national holiday to commemorate the birth of the French Republic. We originally thought about walking down to watch the parade in the morning, but after we had been told we would have to be up super early a new plan was hatched...

 

We watched it on tv instead, which was a much more sensible option. The parade is basically a show of French military might, with various kinds of domestic and foreign troops marching. There are also a few foreign nations invited to march as well. Croatia’s uniforms were particularly interesting...

 

There was also a large display of military transportation, including planes, helicopters, and tanks. It turned out that we were on the flight path, so we could look out the window to see them...

It also meant that when we were walking around town today, you encountered a lot of troops in their dress uniforms taking in the sights and getting their picture taken with pretty female tourists...

 

I saw a number of interesting things while out walking, but on the theme of having one's picture taken, I wanted to share this photo...

 

 

Which was an impromptu photo session outside Notre Dame. Only in Paris.

Off to the Louvre tomorrow.