Bastille day in France

Hello all,

 

I'm a bit of a fireworks freak, and since I am in France this year over the

summer, I would like to catch one of the fireworks displays that will take place

on July 14th. At the moment my top two choices are Paris (obvious) and

Carcassonne. However, I am open to other suggestions if people have some. What

I would really like to know, however, is the practical info concerning both

locations.

 

Paris -- are the fireworks set off in the Champs de Mars, or on the Palais de

Chaillot side? In addition, are there any practical areas where a person could

set up a tripod to get good shots of the fireworks? I don't mind waiting in a

location for hours (I've waited more than 14 hours in some locations) to get a

good spot where I can set up a tripod hassle-free, but I'm not sure what the

possibilities of doing that is in Paris at that time (especially with the crowds).

 

Carcassonne - basically, the same question -- where are there good vantage

points for tripod-wielding photographers (and not merely just someone who wants

to see the show)?

 

I do usually go early and scout around for good locations, but I'd appreciate

any advice from anyone who has actually been to these events and has some inside

knowledge of them.

 

Cheers.

Rachelle, I can not speak to Bastille day ,but I was in a Paris on new years and the police cancelled the fireworks, as they were worried about riots and unrest at the time. I hope someone in the know answers your specific question,as it was pretty disapointing for me as well as the French crowd who knew nothing of the canceled show.

We were in Carcassonne for the Embrasement des Murs a few years back. Truly spectacular. Everybody seems to line up on the main road just South of the Old City, near the top of the hill. It is a good vantage point for a general view, but you better get there early for a good spot with nobody in front of you. There might be better angles for photos, closer to the city, but you may have to check with the locals (Get there a day early and walk into a few photo shops.) An advantage over Paris: You're pretty much guatanteed good weather in Carcasonne!

In Paris, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jul85/sets/593837">the fireworks will be right in front of the Eiffel tower</a>.