Le Quatorze Juillet

In England, firemen don’t perhaps have the status they deserve.  In France, they are heros.  Fire engine models and toys are very popular.  On the National Day the 14^th July they are very much part of the proceedings.  In particular there are the Firemans’ Balls that are held up and down the country.  In small towns like Veaugues they are very much the centre of attention on the 14^th of July – these are the scenes from 14 July 2013 in Veaugues.  As with everything French, wine and food also plays a major part.   After the parade of the local fire engines, the mayor inspected the "troops", gave a little speech and then it was a glass of bubbly and a selection of French produce.   Later in the day was the "cheese dance" where the adults ate lots of cottage cheese whilst the children danced.   The firemans' ball was after the fireworks much later, too late for a working man like me!

Thanks to Jane for the fireworks pictures, I was comforting the dogs who were not impressed at all by the noise and flashes.