What is Bastille day?

Paris on Bastille Day: Alternatives to Les Crowds & L'Oontz-Oontz-Oontz?

• What are some alternatives to the large-scale celebrations of Bastille Day in/around Paris? Really looking forward to the five days I'll be spending in Paris in mid-July with my fiancee. First time to France for both of us (Americans, late 30s). While we view the fact that we'll be there over Bastille Day as a bonus, certain features of major holidays in major cities aren't really our style: parades, giant elbow-to-elbow crowds, huge sound systems, fireworks shows, etc. We're not opposed to celebrating--we like to eat, drink, and laugh around other people--but we'd never go to Bourbon Street for Mardi Gras or Times Square for New Year's Eve, for example. The problem: our hotel is right on the equivalent of Times Square. So while we definitely want to go out on Bastille Day, we'd like to find a different place to celebrate, where the sensory overload is dialed back a bit (e.g., dozens of people instead of thousands, not having to yell above the noise to have a conversation). Though not "quiet" or "private" per se... but more "interesting" than "spectacular." Quirky, kitschy, and unique are welcome, and we're not opposed to a long ride to our destination (even outside of Paris would be fine for the right place). Maybe even a trip to a small town or rural area to see how they celebrate? Is this a possibility in the City of Light on Bastille Day, or am I trying to avoid sand in the desert here?

• Answer:

  We took a blanket and a picnic to the Champ de Mars a couple of years ago on Bastille Day - and it was fun. While there were other picnickers around it was laid back. Other, similar parks not in the city center nor near the Eiffel Tower should be less crowded.