BASTILLE DAY AT SEVIGNE FIRE STATION :
THE MOST SUCCESFUL EVER DANCE PARTY

Bonjour from Le Marais,

The 2015 Bastille Day celebrations were the best we have ever had in recent years. In the Marais, at the beautiful Hotel de Chavigny - the Marais' one and only Fire Station - the Champagne was just the right price for guests to drink all night long. In the two courtyards, live DJs were playing the latest hits as well as avant-garde techno and electro music. Over 12,000 people including a mix of military, those who marched on the Champs Elysées for the tradtionnal parade, firemen, local residents, visitors, couples, and young people made up the crowd, creating an atmosphere you could only find in Le Marais.

New Capitain Bertrand Sénèque and his officers treated us like kings, giving us the privilege of visiting some of the VIP rooms of this 17th century mansion which are not open to the public. Joining the Paris Fire Brigade is not a simple job. You have to be in top physical condition and train for no less than four hours every day. It is no wonder that the fire fighters are in top physical shape. The officers must also achieve very high grades in top-level schools such as Saint Cyr, a kind of Military Harvard.

The Sevigné Fire Station was the first to be built by Napoleon in 1814.
Read the complete History of the BSPP – Paris Fire Brigade
Unlike firemen in most cities and countries, Paris firefighters are part of the French army, which is perhaps why they inspire so much respect and admiration.

We highly encourage you to give to their charity, donate to help maintain and restore the beautiful Hotel de Chavigny and give generously to the ADOSPP, the association that takes care of injured firemen and their families. We will visit this historic station again later in the year during the traditional «Journées du Patrimoine» held on 19 and 20th September.

Summer is just starting so keep an eye open for our next issues, dedicated to more parties and places to discover in the Marais and everywhere in Paris.

Enjoy Summertime in Paris.

The PARISMARAIS ® Team