Bastille Day

Until yesterday I had no idea what a great celebration Bastille Day was in France! It commemorates the 1790 "Fête de la Fédération", held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.

And what a day it was!!! I wasn't in Paris where they hold a huge parade down the Champs Elyees and then fireworks at the Tour de Eiffel. But I was HERE, in France in Brittany and went to two fabulous nights of celebration and fireworks. The first was held the night before by the huge Lac au Duc, the lake that separates Ploermel and Taupont. There was a giant sound stage with a disco. I estimate there would have been 2000 people there, many with their children. The music was a mix of fabulous toe tapping Celtic type and familiar rock songs I knew the words to. I stood there smiling and bought a glass of vin rouge at 1 Euro a glass. Yes, not a typo, they charged 1 Euro for wine, just for the people at cost. Now would that happen at home I wonder? As the beat and the crowd danced away I found myself joining them and losing myself in the magic of it all. It stopped after dark which was about 11.15pm and the fireworks with music on the lake started.
It was AWESOME! I wished my buddies were here to share it with me. I wished Becky was here to dance with me but I was on my own and still could not wipe the smile off my happy face!
The actual Bastille Day celebration that I went to was in Josselin. Josselin is the town with the large imposing chateau surrounded by thick walls and large gateway on the river. The fireworks were over the river with the crowd arriving from every tiny village and hamlet sitting on the embankments. I estimate some 5,000 people were there. There was a live band which played until the fireworks started. And WHEN it started it was phenomenal, music from hidden speakers dominated the air, smoke from the fireworks slowly thickened making the atmosphere even more magic. The river reflected the grand display giving it a double appearance whilst the ancient house on the river lit up like a theatre prop! We all stood there in awe............




Afterwards I wandered into the town I knew so well but it seeemed more magic and special at night. The cafe I like to visit and all the surrounding buildings looked like from a fairytale book. And it was like being part of that history.