Paris: July 14, 2004
Day 6: National Day of France

Military Parade along ave des Champs-Elysees, accompanied by a fly-over of fighter aircraft and helicopters. We were afraid that the traffic was heavy so we stayed at home instead going to ave des Champs-Elysees. We saw the fighter aircraft fly over our roof to the airport Charles de Gaulle. I watched the parade in TV, but I felt that it was a pity if I was not on spot. I finally decided to go there by Metro. We got off at Place de la Concorde and found we can not access the avenue. Audience were requested to stay out of the main avenue. I thought that people should come early so that they have chance to be close to the parade. We only saw the last square matrix of soldiers and the parade was over.   Military Parade from TV
Children play with tank We walked along Rue de Rivoli back to Louvre to have a look at the unfinished section. It is free on National Day and first sunday of every month. An hour later, we were on Rue Rue de Rivoli (it is a long road from west to east connecting to Rue St Antoine) again to back home. We saw many soldiers in different squares to show their weapon to ordinary people. Children played with tank in high spirits. It was a lively education of military.  
These soliders were glad to have a photo with people. Having a photo with a Franch soldier made up my regret of missing the military parade on the National Day of France.  Photo with soldier

7e&8e - 4,5&6e - Louvre - Sacre Coeur - Seine
Paris: 2004 Summer - Travel Albums
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