Bals des Pompiers

Like everything in Paris, the Firemen's Ball was more than I expected. I thought we were going to walk into the garage of a local firestation and there was going to be a disco ball and drinks and music and that would be that. Bals des Pompier is the exact opposite. The party starts at 9am and goes officially til 4am.

The ball we went to was in the Marais by 1/2 a block from Saint Paul station. When we arrived at around 1am the line was all the way down the street and around the corner. After waiting more than an hour and a half and being stuck in front of by some americans and some thugs and 6 euros later, we were in. Fully uniformed french firemen (and one woman) and all.

Waiting outside of Saint Paul church to get into the Fire Station.


The line crowding to get in.


Another holding area where you pay 6 euros for entrance + 1 drink (Heineken)


Poor photo of inner courtyard with a live band.


Crazy Firemen's party.




A beautiful sunrise when we arrived home the next morning.


In Paris, when you go out, the party doesn't stop until 4 or 5 so why not save the cab fare and get a bite to eat of a crêpe or kebab on the corner and wait for the metro to open. That morning we got home a bit after 6 in the morning. A beautiful sunrise.