Pattersons in Paris: Bastille Day Les Invalides

After a little nap, we were ready for more Bastille Day festivities. We walked down our street, avenue de la Motte-Picquet to the Esplanade in front of Les Invalides where all the military hardware was on display. It was cloudy and cool as we started but by the time we got to Les Invalides, it was sunny and warm. We walked past our boulangerie on the way and they were in full swing, selling sandwiches and cold drinks from the sidewalk.

Our baker is the grey-haired man in the white t-shirt

And we had to wait for an ambulance to go by before we could cross the street.

Sapeurs-Pompiers Ambulance

We started checking out the helicopters.

People were lined up to climb in one side of this helicopter and out the other.

Quin and Kelly

Kelly

We heard singing and found this mobile stage with singing soldiers.

All of the kids were having a great time climbing all over everything. The soldiers and pilots were very patient.

There were so many different types of helicopters. Kelly's favorite bridge, Pont Alexandre III, is in the background below and the Grand Palais.

We also noticed a sign for drivers to avoid a street down by the quais that they are turning into a beach with sand at the end of the week. We will definitely have to check this out.

We looked up and saw half a dozen parachutists coming in for a landing on the grass nearby. Notice we finally have blue sky--even though there are still a lot of clouds.

Parachutist with Montparnasse Tower
in the background

Landing on the Esplanad

We loved seeing all the different uniforms up close. We even saw one of the guys in the white capes we had seen in the parade. And we loved all the hats.

Look at those red epaulettes!

We found a fire truck with a big water cannon on top.

After we had seen it all, we walked back to Les Invalides and walked through the center and out the other side to home. Part three is next with the Eiffel Tower fireworks.