Arc de Triomphe Photo: Vive la France!

Vive la France!

July 14, 2011

The Beauty and Symbolism of the Arc de Triomphe

Today is the French national holiday, La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day), that commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 that sparked the French Revolution.

As I celebrate the U.S. women’s win in yesterday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup match and their move into the finals with Japan, I also salute the French women’s football team who deserve much credit for their superb effort, skills and spirit.

Happy Bastille Day to all of our friends in France!

In honor of La Fête Nationale, this photo taken at the Arc de Triomphe is my submission for this week’s Travel Photo Thursday. Be sure to check out the other submissions on the Budget Travelers Sandbox website.

 Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

37 thoughts on “Vive la France!”

Michael Figueiredo July 14, 2011 at 10:50 am
Very fitting post for today! On my very first trip to Europe I was in Paris for Bastille Day (in 1995)—talk about a celebration! Besides New Years in Rio, it was the biggest party I’ve ever seen. There were a couple million people in the streets and in the park surrounding the Eiffel Tower. It was awesome!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:49 am
  What a terrific experience to have on your first trip to Europe!
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Jeremy Branham July 14, 2011 at 10:54 am
HA! I didn’t think about the fact that the US women beat France yesterday. Good thing they weren’t playing on Bastille Day! 🙂
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:50 am
  It’s been a very exciting World Cup! The U.S. team is amazing, but got to give the French team credit for a great game, too.
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Andrea July 14, 2011 at 11:16 am
Great photo! France is one of my favourite countries
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:50 am
  Thanks! Will you be in France this summer?
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thetravelgal July 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm
BEAUTIFUL shot! (Nice comments too 🙂
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:51 am
  Thank you! 🙂
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Eileen Ludwig July 14, 2011 at 1:32 pm
France is one of my favorite countries too Post your url at my site too http://www.eileenludwig.com/stunning-photo-thursday-world-war-ii-memorial-monument-washington-dc/
I will be doing this every Thursday too so plan on it with a link in your submission and post your url also can post to my fan page for Digital Photography
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:51 am
  OK – thanks!
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Sensibletraveler July 14, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Great timing for the post! Congrats to both US and France on their World Cup successes!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:52 am
  Both teams can be very proud!
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Renee July 14, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I love the angle that you took….you have to think for a second to realize that it’s the arc….great shot!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:53 am
  Thanks, Renee. I thought it turned out pretty well, too!
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jade July 14, 2011 at 3:52 pm
really unique vantage point- i like it!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:54 am
  Thanks, Jade. It really takes me back to how I felt being there at the time.
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Lorna - the roamantics July 14, 2011 at 5:01 pm
so graceful and gorgeous cathy! 🙂
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:54 am
  Thanks, Lorna! 🙂
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Raymond @ Man On The Lam July 14, 2011 at 7:41 pm
I was lucky enought to attend Bastille Day celebrations at the Eiffel Tower some years back. Jean Michel Jarre concert and half a million of my closest friends. It was such a good time!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:55 am
  Sounds like a great time, Raymond. How lucky that so many of your friends were able to attend! 😉
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InsideJourneys July 14, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Love this angle. I also posted a photo of the Arc for Bastille Day.
Happy Bastille Day!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:56 am
  Thanks! I’m on my way to your blog right now.
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Denise July 14, 2011 at 10:24 pm
very nice picture! night shots are the hardest to nail!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:58 am
  Thanks, Denise. You’re so right about those night shots. Although not perfect, I thought I got pretty lucky.
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JenniferU July 14, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Love the upward view with the flag in motion. Must. Get. To. France!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:59 am
  Thank you, Jennifer. Hope you get to France soon!
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Muza-chan July 14, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Beautiful photo, I like the colors
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:59 am
  Thanks! I liked the color aspect, too.
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Cheryl Howard July 15, 2011 at 1:19 am
This is a stunning photo!! I love it. Can’t wait to make my way to France …
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 15, 2011 at 8:59 am
  Thanks so much, Cheryl — flattered!
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Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista July 15, 2011 at 10:13 am
This is really a very beautiful picture of one of Paris’ great icons!
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1. Cathy Post authorJuly 16, 2011 at 8:07 pm
  Thanks, Debbie. There’s no shortage of pics of the Arc de Triomphe, but I hoped this captured something a little bit different!
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Nancie July 17, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Wonderful shot Cathy. Great POV!
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Grace July 19, 2011 at 11:30 am
Wow it seems like a lot of peeps from the blogosphere were celebrating Bastille Day! See Americans love the French =)
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robin July 20, 2011 at 4:54 am
A wonderfully composed shot.
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Christy @ Ordinary Traveler July 20, 2011 at 9:17 am
Wow! The Arc de Triomphe looks really cool at night. I’ve only seen it during the day. Great shot!
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