I was standing dumbfounded on the Champs-Elysees last night, wondering why everyone was there. There was nothing. Just tons of people, a bunch of roudy kids starting moshpits and throwing fireworks under peoples’ feet.
There was never even any sort of count-down. I felt like I was in some sort of Thomas Pynchon novel where the New Year’s Eve celebration doesn’t have a start or an end, it’s confusing and violent, and no one seems to know what’s going on. I’ve never been in a big city before for New Year’s, so I don’t know if this is a common feeling in, say, New York (though, I’d imagine people know where to be for New Year’s in New York).
My girlfriend said later that the fireworks had been canceled as a part of l’etat d’urgence here in France. Is that true? Where there fireworks at the Eiffel Tower? If so, why the hell were there thousands of people on the Champs Elysees?
I saw articles saying that too, but I was standing less than a hundred yards from the Arc de Triomphe, and there was no fireworks display.
I’m wondering if that means fireworks like m80s and bottlerockets (“petards,” I believe, in French) and not an actual pyrotechnics display (“feux d’artifice”)
There are no fireworks in Paris on New Year’s Eve, and actually no organized celebration AFAIK, and no, it seems it’s rather atypical, many other large capitals appear to generally organize such things.
I see each year footage of people massed on the Champs-Elysees kissing each other and opening champagne bottles (*) , and as a result one year when I had nothing better to do, I decided to go there and watch by myself what the fuss was all about. And I’m still wondering what the fuss is all about. My experience was pretty similar to yours.
IMO, on New Year’s Eve in Paris you’re better off finding something else to do than going to the Champs Elysees.
It seems that this year there were much less people, probably because last year there were a lot of violence following the celebration, and that added to the November riots probably made people think twice about going there.
“Petards” are firecrackers. I too suspect they’re refering to fireworks random people used. Any rocket is usually called “fusee de feu d’artifice” or simply “feu d’artifice”. And a pyrotechnic display is also called a “feu d’artifice”.
I already answered, look at my first post. AFAIK, no. Except if we have been both very unlucky and blind during two different celebrations, I assume that what you saw is exactly what happens each year.
Ok, I just thought growing up that I had always seen the new years around the world that everyone does on new year’s day. I thought I had seen fireworks displays around the Eiffel Tower.
I was in Paris this past Bastille Day, and they had magnificant fireworks coming out of the Eiffel Tower - like what they did for the Millenium, but a whole hour’s worth. After seeing that, I’d be disappointed to see traditional fireworks at the Champs Elysees.
As far as New York is concerned, you’d never know it was New Year’s if you’re not in the Times Square area. That’s something everyone should experience once - and only once.
To the OP :
By the way, if you’re fond of fireworks, I would recommand the “Nuits de Feu” organized every other year (and this year in particular, if I’m not mistaken) in Chantilly (in the castle’s gardens), on the weekend closest to June 21st . They’re actually a kind of contest, and three fireworks are displayed during each of the two nights. I went there twice, and it was spectacular both times. These fireworks had already been displayed for some event or another by major companies. For instance the one I liked the most had originally been created for some national event (a visit of a royal? Not sure) in Australia.
Besides, Chantilly itself is a nice town, close to Paris, the castle is also an art museum, there’s a horse museum too, and you can have pleasant walks in the nearby forest. It makes for a nice week-end if you decide to stay overnight.