Un defile militaire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpf4sVvTI3hwldYFeZ_mej4r4e-pAZv8luES8uFWCWsitWU929kdGdNhSUfye8xBp18acaDM3PQ0AcA7VECIrH3seJhVkxsbgJ2n1chhRdCTIhhY-_4JWr43tbcWB9qvoVB4MJ2Y4Zzo/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpf4sVvTI3hwldYFeZ_mej4r4e-pAZv8luES8uFWCWsitWU929kdGdNhSUfye8xBp18acaDM3PQ0AcA7VECIrH3seJhVkxsbgJ2n1chhRdCTIhhY-_4JWr43tbcWB9qvoVB4MJ2Y4Zzo/s640/2008+July+14+DSC_0313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">Avenue des Champs Elysees</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quatorze juillet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The avenue was lined from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a display of the French military and its territories, an amazing spectacle!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysees</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Un defile militaire

Military Parade Avenue des Champs Elysees Quatorze juillet The avenue was lined from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde with a disp...

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Five Year Anniversary - Paris and Beyond!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyodMzGivF_i-iHt7-rjj7k7a4WdrOB5mBe4KVJo59rlaLtRXi3gmPJoVbbUR1bjL-Az9J4yhvq3TbBZWyYLxKNzVAJdpIi6XhKAD_5-AN4iEtzZyIy4ttr0SoA0JCTj91eVdbatzV4oc/s1600/2008+july+14+DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyodMzGivF_i-iHt7-rjj7k7a4WdrOB5mBe4KVJo59rlaLtRXi3gmPJoVbbUR1bjL-Az9J4yhvq3TbBZWyYLxKNzVAJdpIi6XhKAD_5-AN4iEtzZyIy4ttr0SoA0JCTj91eVdbatzV4oc/s640/2008+july+14+DSC_0230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Quatorze juillet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was my first post five years ago when I started my Paris and Beyond photo blog under the guidance of Virginia Jones. In the five years of posting daily, I have met many wonderful people from around the world.  Many of those I have met in person and have traveled to faraway places to see them.  In the beginning I was not sure that I could keep up a daily post with a very full-time job and business travel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to all who have followed me and have reached out to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow I start year six....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Merci beaucoup, Virginie!)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysees</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Five Year Anniversary - Paris and Beyond!

Quatorze juillet This was my first post five years ago when I started my Paris and Beyond photo blog under the guidance of Virginia Jones. I...

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Le Défilé Militaire - des pompiers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwyFLtq2xZRuJpK2NhCdtF6mb6qACFsVlZETKeWfD6L0BwBdJLuqtypbtm0USR4xAZlDkHh6rm60NxSyC3TnDu5JaqsEHU_5aLzTSsBAgBFkfpnlnNi_HGJV5ccy3tF5D5iqUAl9TjT4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwyFLtq2xZRuJpK2NhCdtF6mb6qACFsVlZETKeWfD6L0BwBdJLuqtypbtm0USR4xAZlDkHh6rm60NxSyC3TnDu5JaqsEHU_5aLzTSsBAgBFkfpnlnNi_HGJV5ccy3tF5D5iqUAl9TjT4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Les Sapeurs-Pompiers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of many groups in the Military Parade of Quatorze Juillet...  </div><div style="text-align: center;">On the eve of the Bastille Day celebrations the pompiers have parties </div><div style="text-align: center;">all over Paris that do not end until the sun comes up.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the arrondissements have Bals des Pompiers </div><div style="text-align: center;">and by some count it may be as many as 60 (!) in Paris and the near suburbs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you been to one?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Élysées</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">  </span></span></i></div>

Le Défilé Militaire - des pompiers

Les Sapeurs-Pompiers One of many groups in the Military Parade of Quatorze Juillet...   On the eve of the Bastille Day celebrations the pomp...

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Quatorze Juillet! - Bastille Day

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfB9Tlp4m4xjlMakbmCtxQUo67F4UU7K20c603gNjzoquq1o0-lQ7pplA3wQZUpu-UbMwcwgjva06hUPRG80qjl0Qsk0y6chH9ZBdywdPzvcR6iECURJt3hLWA2ZkmuULIuOR_Q1ZNy4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfB9Tlp4m4xjlMakbmCtxQUo67F4UU7K20c603gNjzoquq1o0-lQ7pplA3wQZUpu-UbMwcwgjva06hUPRG80qjl0Qsk0y6chH9ZBdywdPzvcR6iECURJt3hLWA2ZkmuULIuOR_Q1ZNy4/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">of Bastille Day</div><div style="text-align: center;">2008</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The parade involves around 7,000 soldiers </div><div style="text-align: center;">(5,000 on foot, the rest are crew members or cavalrymen), </div><div style="text-align: center;">300 vehicles, 240 horses and more than 80 planes and helicopters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, a celebration for me as today makes </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 years of daily photos on Paris and Beyond</div><div style="text-align: center;">without missing a day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A special thanks to all of you who follow my blog </div><div style="text-align: center;">and to Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) </div><div style="text-align: center;">who helped me "birth this baby" four years ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Élysées</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></i></div>

Quatorze Juillet! - Bastille Day

Military Parade of Bastille Day 2008 The parade involves around 7,000 soldiers  (5,000 on foot, the rest are crew members or cavalrymen),  ...

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Le Défilé Militaire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpKfraxNCAHCly1hqoDqlFB7wUlDrN8rGz33fF3a8nGjP0EWVrlzD66WUi6J15FJ1UJyFwn_wkGUWyZtKszgnkYuztPlwdp3EcNU_pz3i7bW9Lc20gqMrAHy9p_QJKRcX6oowSbx1A_o/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpKfraxNCAHCly1hqoDqlFB7wUlDrN8rGz33fF3a8nGjP0EWVrlzD66WUi6J15FJ1UJyFwn_wkGUWyZtKszgnkYuztPlwdp3EcNU_pz3i7bW9Lc20gqMrAHy9p_QJKRcX6oowSbx1A_o/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0265.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment </div><div style="text-align: center;">Military Parade</div><div style="text-align: center;">(quatorze juillet)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The uniforms were perfect, </div><div style="text-align: center;">from the elegant helmets to the rich leather boots.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The horses were exquisitely groomed and trained.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There will be 250 horses in the celebrated parade on Monday</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Le Défilé Militaire du quatorze Juillet</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Le Défilé Militaire

Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment Military Parade (quatorze juillet) The uniforms were perfect,  from the elegant helmets to the rich leathe...

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Le défilé du 14-Juillet

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJz1xJkxe4SJBZo5LXQGV9aqmf5xqKJRUXBNc2n0AUZ6nCNQcZ-bHp-JPZmKCHCDY8b4JvEOLjC9OKnM80gEXYUPCLmR5f3DlnRr-g1H01a1GE_h12zY7dZ6SDkWOY0bq5TzHEIxxNJE/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJz1xJkxe4SJBZo5LXQGV9aqmf5xqKJRUXBNc2n0AUZ6nCNQcZ-bHp-JPZmKCHCDY8b4JvEOLjC9OKnM80gEXYUPCLmR5f3DlnRr-g1H01a1GE_h12zY7dZ6SDkWOY0bq5TzHEIxxNJE/s640/2008+July+14+DSC_0305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quatorze Juillet</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2008</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The many regiments line up an hour or two </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">before the march down Avenue des Champs Elysées.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2013</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In all, 4,800 troops marched in front of the presidential stage Sunday, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">along with 241 horses, 265 vehicles and 58 planes.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bringing up the rear was an array of 35 helicopters, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">used in wartime and for civilian missions. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Precision parachutists landed </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in front of the presidential stand to close the parade.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The military parade of 14-Juillet</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Avenue des Champs Elysées</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75008, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>

Le défilé du 14-Juillet

Quatorze Juillet 2008 The many regiments line up an hour or two  before the march down Avenue des Champs Elysées. 2013 In all, 4,800 troops ...

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Quatorze Juillet - La Fête Nationale!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNc6yGcuZMMRZWOHzhbOM0s0Bszj3k9Gt3IP5lZkrcl3keathTiS83OAAph6EkdqtiN3RJ8sD3HqIeQLaKdAp6G3q_s3DNIYBcXQ38-AZAqS-vpbG5tSOrqd9i9zUGzWtU_vK3xdnos/s1600/2008+July+14+DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNc6yGcuZMMRZWOHzhbOM0s0Bszj3k9Gt3IP5lZkrcl3keathTiS83OAAph6EkdqtiN3RJ8sD3HqIeQLaKdAp6G3q_s3DNIYBcXQ38-AZAqS-vpbG5tSOrqd9i9zUGzWtU_vK3xdnos/s640/2008+July+14+DSC_0076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Gates of Invalides</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All of Paris is dressed in the bleu, blanc, et rouge of the French flag.  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The crowds and the traffic are impossible, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">but the pleasure of being there in the streets </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">for the great national celebration is worth it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Vive la France!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Invalides</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75007, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Paris and Beyond - 3 years, 1109 posts</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for following, for your feedback,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and for sharing in my love for Paris (and beyond)</i></div>

Quatorze Juillet - La Fête Nationale!

The Gates of Invalides All of Paris is dressed in the bleu, blanc, et rouge of the French flag.   The crowds and the traffic are impossible,...

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Un Bon Soldat

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqgI6gdgcpJCi1uFzLDiOMRhwAUM0Esjmf2sRYhlvCsHWLjZlrJNK6rs-d89ibQqrGhOwl5hRDWHN5LZclcca1eV1mvUco2JX6YiTGhtX-kPzbcKXXVXfdY4LColf_Bgm-oxD-cYGIMo/s1600/2008+july+paris+DSC_0226.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629414702764691522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqgI6gdgcpJCi1uFzLDiOMRhwAUM0Esjmf2sRYhlvCsHWLjZlrJNK6rs-d89ibQqrGhOwl5hRDWHN5LZclcca1eV1mvUco2JX6YiTGhtX-kPzbcKXXVXfdY4LColf_Bgm-oxD-cYGIMo/s640/2008+july+paris+DSC_0226.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals as well as the "regiments." As this soldier walked past me to join his battalion, I requested a photo. He nodded agreement and I quickly snapped.<br /><br />I imagine maman would be proud to see her son in his fine uniform.<br /><br /><br /></span><em>Le Quatorze Juillet<br />2008 </em></span>

Un Bon Soldat

The uniforms of the French military are quite elegant for the 14 juillet, and it was a wonderful opportunity to photograph many individuals ...

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Le Quatorze Juillet!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMB4HQdawyfgB728wNC0az-gNn-X5Jb5XdrFr01lM58GPrC2Epm4QoVrBCzVKT663h9w6y0UvRw-Q7K8eQGmajIpQH6U0CEwpD_6iXDFiG9Ikwn3b3re0x15XbMSmjj6Dio8c8I2SIVE/s1600/2008+july+paris+DSC_0307.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629043092283396546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMB4HQdawyfgB728wNC0az-gNn-X5Jb5XdrFr01lM58GPrC2Epm4QoVrBCzVKT663h9w6y0UvRw-Q7K8eQGmajIpQH6U0CEwpD_6iXDFiG9Ikwn3b3re0x15XbMSmjj6Dio8c8I2SIVE/s640/2008+july+paris+DSC_0307.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was no immediate need on the globe for assistance. The tanks, the humvees, the trucks, the so-large-I-cannot-imagine what they ares, the horses in finery, the planes, the firetrucks... all of the personnel. The length of this wide avenue was full to overflowing. It was magnificent!<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Today is a special day for me as I started my blog one year ago today. I drove to Birmingham to see <a href="http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/"><strong>Virginia</strong></a>, and the two of us "birthed this baby" so its birthday would always fall on Bastille Day. I will be forever grateful to her for her guidance and wonderful sense of humor as we laughed our way through "delivery."<br /><br />Thanks to all of you who read my blog and who have, through your own blogs and comments on mine, enriched this experience, sharing a bit of your world with me. I was not sure that I could post 365 days in a row, but it is now just a part of me. Merci beaucoup!

Le Quatorze Juillet!

I remember thinking that so much of France's military equipment was being paraded down the Champs Élysée that we should hope there was n...

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Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlshrLBXlvC7E33cJoIUasfccsWE3ySGlB7K3HWqFO8GOoMVXMzZSLTAskAiMCJaKIOdihMXegCGz9ojb94v7dJP5DTYm6Y75AQ9eTNZQK7IkXgAuPdUCe-_J8H0wDoKYOusrVLRoWyU/s1600/2008+paris+july+DSC_0346c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628661535589597474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlshrLBXlvC7E33cJoIUasfccsWE3ySGlB7K3HWqFO8GOoMVXMzZSLTAskAiMCJaKIOdihMXegCGz9ojb94v7dJP5DTYm6Y75AQ9eTNZQK7IkXgAuPdUCe-_J8H0wDoKYOusrVLRoWyU/s640/2008+paris+july+DSC_0346c.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each station in Paris on 13-14 juillet. There is much partying in the streets and it is one of the most festive events in Paris. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I wonder if these guys partied all night long... probably not. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span>

Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris

Although the parade for 14 juillet is not until tomorrow, tonight begins the Bals des Pompiers, the firemen's parties held at each stati...

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Quatre Juillet

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAobm0Q9WLojdwiVQuX_iyIFjWmAmB6TBcJ920MWhmTSzNO8gpMieG6fSwPTlx_N8672obxRFDEP6BSs51Qs-uc7OmSinM-J4fWoL6u3ydMa5Z51DRFqFCGFh0-BpNCipWYgjDlKYmRM/s1600/2008+paris+july+14+DSC_0280.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625334832889337762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAobm0Q9WLojdwiVQuX_iyIFjWmAmB6TBcJ920MWhmTSzNO8gpMieG6fSwPTlx_N8672obxRFDEP6BSs51Qs-uc7OmSinM-J4fWoL6u3ydMa5Z51DRFqFCGFh0-BpNCipWYgjDlKYmRM/s640/2008+paris+july+14+DSC_0280.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several years ago to travel to Paris alone for Bastille Day primarily to see the view above. I stood on the barricades for several hours and almost missed this shot as the planes moved overhead so quickly.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I hope that my French friends do not mind that I borrowed this photo to wish everyone in the USA a happy Fourth of July!</span> <br /><br /><br />Avenue des Champs Elysées

Quatre Juillet

Okay, this is a Paris photo blog and truly this is a Paris photo, but it is quatorze juillet and not quatre juillet. I was thrilled several ...

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Il est très sérieux

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTCXnSNonnEhDmIV7cxlCEQNFfwRdMXKOnOY-jhRSNaplEJUMIgtgazJGVlPIOlbnKkHa8yTkN7D_0fzjDd7_-LiVqTjpEMLHSIkSQPWhaDtTC0BD22Qn_W5jzbdli7u4otr-W7bCkT4/s1600/DSC_0242c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494334222119807346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTCXnSNonnEhDmIV7cxlCEQNFfwRdMXKOnOY-jhRSNaplEJUMIgtgazJGVlPIOlbnKkHa8yTkN7D_0fzjDd7_-LiVqTjpEMLHSIkSQPWhaDtTC0BD22Qn_W5jzbdli7u4otr-W7bCkT4/s640/DSC_0242c.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: ; DISPLAY: block; ; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>One more photo before we leave le quatorze juillet -- There was a whole batallion of these guys with big guns, some with bayonets. I have never seen so many tanks, trucks, and weapons in a row, ever! The uniforms range from the simple as seen here to the elaborate. This guy was the only serious one in the crowd waiting for the parade to begin. Maybe he was Big Cheese's lookout.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>From what I saw, every soldier, sailor, wheeled vehicle, horse, weapon (tout) that is part of the French military was there on Champs Élysées. The crowd was well behaved -- bien sûr, with all of that weaponry present!</div>

Il est très sérieux

One more photo before we leave le quatorze juillet -- There was a whole batallion of these guys with big guns, some with bayonets. I have ne...

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Hail to the Chief!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtvx_Nn4CZs66UDOKhSoyg5imDJW_82cqEzxqaT7n0hulVFvH-b7KKfzv0km6km28HP2wCdY67nFvkAIxC3b714EBH0991Z_LS1WDd6nnbxTulHXSWcCwF7cuRO4QPWIvyb1MRg-aMIQ/s1600/DSC_0268.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493814778197487746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtvx_Nn4CZs66UDOKhSoyg5imDJW_82cqEzxqaT7n0hulVFvH-b7KKfzv0km6km28HP2wCdY67nFvkAIxC3b714EBH0991Z_LS1WDd6nnbxTulHXSWcCwF7cuRO4QPWIvyb1MRg-aMIQ/s640/DSC_0268.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:;" /></a><br />The procession begins with President Sarkozy who stands tall (?) as he rides down the Champs-Élysées, <i>la plus belle avenue du monde</i>. Obviously, this year's weather does not match the blue skies of 2008 -- I stood alone making friends at the barricades for 4 hours to see the parade from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. Quelle bonne fête nationale!

Hail to the Chief!

The procession begins with President Sarkozy who stands tall (?) as he rides down the Champs-Élysées, la plus belle avenue du monde . Obvio...

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Inspection for Bastille Day

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qgs7LxOI6DVV12vhDBdLVGiGitCb1DfAFLy46HUMyFTEXVQmfARwC7OtFOvdhkvdWn0EnqdbERkcHKonnh5KmG4gM7aK6H9nCcDW1rAKVbRLqvXZRDYiJpCZ3lUCT3kV5rbrQq_dMGw/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493783761560013778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qgs7LxOI6DVV12vhDBdLVGiGitCb1DfAFLy46HUMyFTEXVQmfARwC7OtFOvdhkvdWn0EnqdbERkcHKonnh5KmG4gM7aK6H9nCcDW1rAKVbRLqvXZRDYiJpCZ3lUCT3kV5rbrQq_dMGw/s640/DSC_0230.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:;" /></a><br />The last minute inspection before Sarkozy and the procession on Champs Elysees -- The colors and variations of uniforms is mind-boggling!<div><br /></div><div>I am excited to join the community of photo bloggers and all the amazing French/Paris blogs I enjoy! Thanks, <a href="http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Virginia</span></a>, for your mis-guidance (<a href="http://mainzdailyphoto.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">JB</span></a>, you too).</div>

Inspection for Bastille Day

The last minute inspection before Sarkozy and the procession on Champs Elysees -- The colors and variations of uniforms is mind-boggling! I ...

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