Bastille Day 2007- The Fireman’s Ball

Every July 13 & 14, there is a Bastille day Fireman’s Ball at all fire stations in Paris.

The Marais station on rue Sevigne hosts one of the most popular in the city. I was invited by a friend to go with a group of people last night and arrived at 10PM. We walked into the courtyard and there was a lively Brazilian brass band wearing crazy wigs and playing pop tunes of the day. It had the feel a big block party with Christmas lights and outdoor refreshment stands. Inside rooms had a Champagne bar and a disco room pumping out old mundane disco hits like “Celebrate”. The adjacent massive courtyard with handsome 17th century building, accented with colored lights, was turned into a giant outdoor dance floor with a bandstand.

The Boys from Brazil

The all purpose band was great, playing a mix of American pop,French ballads, Latin, disco, polka waltzes, and 50’s rock n roll.
I relived my New York disco and club days from the 70’s & 80’s when they played an extensive medley of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Barry White, Kool & the Gang, The Village People’s YMCA, and the reigning favorite “Celebrate”. The two female singers changed into Las Vegas style outfits for each music era, rivaling Cher in the costume-changing department.

As we were swaying our hips and getting down to the disco beat, we met an interesting American guy named Don, who lives on a Dutch cargo barge that he refurbished and made into a houseboat a few years ago. The barge is parked in the Arsenal by the Bastille and he graciously invited us to stop by anytime this week.

The Band

Party Girl
After a week of cool, cloudy, rainy days the weather finally turned clear and warm and the crowd seem relieved to finally have summer come. It was an eclectic mix of older couples, parents and kids, singles, and Marais gays. Paris Pompiers are known to be some of the best looking in the world and the sexy hotties at the Marais fire station in their tight, slim navy pants did not disappoint.

When we left at midnight, it seemed like the party was just getting started as the line snaked around the corner to get in.

Pompier Hotties

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com