The 14th of July – Bastille Day – is a very popular day here in France – not only is it ‘férié’ (we don’t work) but there are generally ‘things’ going on like firework displays etc. Generally a good excuse to get out and drink heavily…
Here our day started comparatively early at 11h35 when four Rafale jets returning from the military celebrations over Paris, overflew the centre of Auch on their way home to the airbase at Mont de Marsan. I was perched on a hill overlooking the city, with a long lens on my camera – I knew they would probably fly at an altitude of around 300m, but had no way of accurately measuring this…so I guestimated…
For the past three years the fireworks display has been held right in the centre of the lower part of the city, along the river Gers. This year was no exception, and although I would have like to be up-close, decided to return to ‘my’ hill – with a bit of luck I might be able to get some images with the display and the cathedral in shot.
(Interestingly, if you enlarge the first image you can see people lining the Escalier Monumentale in the centre of Auch to watch the display)
I’ll get closer next year…