Armistice Day in Paris

By Erin Hagen

Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day, or Veteran's Day, is observed annually on November 11. Traditionally, the day marks the end of the First World War (1914-1918), and pays homage to the millions of soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the conflict. In this article, we will explore the origins of the day and where to commemorate Armistice Day in Paris.

WW I Ceasefire

The Armistice came into effect on the 'eleventh month, the eleventh day, and the eleventh hour. All hostilities ended in 1918. The ceasefire was signed inside a train car in Compiègne (France), at 5:45 a.m. that morning. Though the fighting had stopped, the war wasn't officially over until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28, 1919.

History of Armistice Day in France

In France, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time on November 11, 1920. To mark the solemn occasion, an unknown solider was interred at the base of the Arc de Triomphe (Paris, France) and given a full military honours. An eternal flame of remembrance was placed above his tomb three years later. Every year, the Armistice Day ceremony takes place near his grave.

How the French Honour the Day

In 1922, Armistice Day was made a statutory holiday in France. To honour the fallen at 11 a.m. on November 11, every French city has a military gun salute, and wreathes are placed at WW I memorial statues, or graves. Also, there is a bugle call "for the dead". A moment of silence is not observed, unlike other parts of the world. In 2012, the French Republic decreed that all those who "died for France" will also be honoured on Armistice Day.

Things to Keep in Mind if you Want to Mark the Day in Paris

If the Arc de Triomphe isn't for you, the best option would be to attend a ceremony at one of Paris' cemeteries. Naturally, please arrive well before 11:00 a.m. Also important to note, many businesses are closed on November 11. It is always a good idea to call in advance, or check online before making plans on Armistice Day in France.

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1 Day Paris Itinerary

The City of Lights is one of the world's top tourist destinations, and it's not difficult to understand why. Though many would like to while away their days in a Parisian daydream, sometimes one day is all you have. In the latter case, is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? We're happy to tell you it is. Follow our 1 Day Paris Itinerary to maximise your time in Paris. Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour So, you’re starting your first day in belle Paris! After a leisurely breakfast, including a freshly-baked croissant and espresso, get your day started early to avoid the queues. If your time is limited, Big Bus Paris is by far one of the best ways to see the most attractions while relaxing at the same time. Also, you can leave the tour and rejoin it again at your leisure. Just remember to check out the stops, so you know where to disembark and embark again. Start your day with the Big Bus Tour at any of the following locations and tour stops: the Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, Opera Garnier, Louvre-Pyramide, Louvre-Ponts des Arts, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, Champs-Elysées, Grand Palais and Trocadéro. Office Address: 11 Avenue de l'Opéra, 75001, PARIS Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m Ticket price: starting at 35,10€ Enjoy a Free One Day 'Hop On Hop Off Tour' with the Paris Pass! The Orsay Museum Arc de Triomphe Evening Cruise on the Seine Ô Chateau Wine Bar To really make the most of your time in Paris, pick up your Paris Pass now.

Top 10 Things to do in Paris this summer

Paris is the summer is a beautiful time of year to visit the city. While the city basks in temperatures in the mid-twenties from May onwards, it’s a great destination to get both that bit of culture, and that bit of sun. There are plenty of things to do in Paris in the summer, but we asked our local Parisians to give us their Top 10: Picnic in Paris Make the most of the warmer weather and set up camp with your picnic rug, French wine and crusty baguettes among the many picturesque spots around the capital. Having your dejeuner dehors (ie, lunch outside) is a great way to see the sites and tuck into some of Paris’ best local delicacies from the fromageries, patisseries and boulangeries! Read our blog post on top five places to picnic in Paris for more inspiration. Open air cinema Paris’ green spaces are a quiet sanctuary in the summer when people flock to get out of the streets, and into the open. In the evenings, these spaces host the Cinema en Plein Air, open air film screenings. You can catch everything from ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, to recent indie French films. Running from the 22nd July to the 23rd August choose your film, get your tickets and grab that deck chair for an evening under the stars. Seine River Cruise One of our favourite things to do in Paris is a Seine River Cruise when the weather is nice. An hour long cruise starting from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musee d’Orsay is a great way to start your day or even end it, watching the sun go down over the River. With commentary as you go it’s an easy way to see the sights and learn about the city – even if you’ve seen it all before! Ice cream at Berthillon Make a beeline for one of the best ice cream parlours in Paris, Berthillon. It's one of the most popular places in all of Paris for refreshing scoops of glaces et sorbets in all flavours from your classic chocolate and vanilla, to more abstract fruit concoction. If you want to experiment with more unique Parisian flavours, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to trial and test some of the best street food and stalls in Paris to bring you the best. Sunbathe on Paris Plages The beach is back! One of the best things about Paris in the summer is that the Paris Plages are back along the Seine another year, meaning you can recline and relax on these manmade beaches, close your eyes and pretend you’re in Cannes. Complete with sound systems, DJs, beach bars and floating pools it’s something you can’t pass up on whilst in you’re in Paris this summer. Don’t forget to back that swim suit, in case you really want to get that all-round tan. Quartier d'Eté festival One of the best things to do this summer in Paris is the cultural contemporary arts on display at the Quartier d'Eté Festival. With a packed programme of dance, theatre, concerts and even circus acts, you can catch the weird and the wonderful from ballet to burlesque! Book your tickets in advance to make sure you don’t miss out. Summer Fairground In the picturesque Tuileries Gardens, outside the iconic Louvre Museum, the annual summer fairground La Fête Foraine is bigger and better this year. Think candy floss, fairground rides, roller coasters, bumper cars – the lot. It's great fun, so whether you’re visiting with friends or family, get involved and indulge in your inner child! Palace of Versailles Spend a day out in the beautiful Palace of Versailles and roam one of the most opulent palaces in the world – let alone in Paris! Versailles is one of the most resplendent historic buildings and is well worth a visit, especially in the summer when you can walk around the vast rooms within, see the Hall of Mirrors shimmering in the summer light, explore the 250 acres of landscaped gardens and cool off at the baroque fountains dotted around the gardens. Chauffeur Driven 2CV Tours One of our newest tours in Paris, the Chauffeur Driven 2CV Tours of Paris are brilliant to do in the summer. These iconic French cars make for a great vehicle to transport you around Paris, past all the sites with the windows down. Enjoy a private tour and experienced driver who can tell you all the city secrets as you wind your way through the neighbourhoods and districts of this famous historic city. Panthéon Selfies The Panthéon is one of the most impressive historic attractions in Paris and this summer is hosting a one-off exhibition by the French photographer JR. He’s converted the floor of the Pantheon into a collage of black and white selfies of over 1,300 personal portraits, lingin the tiled floor of this historic mausoleum holding the tombs of some of the country’s most prolific politicians and literary legends.

20 Interesting Facts About the Louvre

We've done some research and found out 20 interesting facts about the Louvre Museum to top up your trivia. From quirky history and heritage, to impressing visitor stats, read on to learn about one of Paris' most famous attractions.

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