Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Champions du Monde! World Cup 2018

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Champions du Monde! World Cup 2018

The day before we were to fly out of the U.S., I got notice that the Eiffel Tower tickets I purchased had been cancelled because France was a finalist to compete in the World Cup. Since we were arriving on Bastille Day, I already knew everything was going to be closed when we got there, but since I was only getting 2 days in Paris on this vacation, I was pretty pissed that the trip I had my heart set on for the past 25 years was about to be ruined by a soccer match. Not only were we not going to get to go up in the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre was scheduled to close early and all of the shops and most of the cafes were going to be closed as well. My heart was broken and I admit, I let my petty side come out and secretly prayed that France would lose the match since I was losing out on my trip. But, thank God for unanswered prayers because as we all know, France did indeed win the 2018 World Cup. Had they lost, I still would have missed out on visiting the sites and the mood would have been somber across the city, putting an even bigger gray cloud on my day. Fortunately, I was in the heart of the country and got to experience the overwhelming joy of the Parisians once their country brought home the win.

The day started out on a festive note. Most of the city was up bright and early walking towards the Eiffel Tower to unite and cheer on their team. Patriotism was out in full force, as almost everyone we saw was decked out in blue, white, and red. "Allez les Bleus !"

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018
World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

The fans would start spontaneously singing as they marched through the streets, flags were waving everywhere, cars blasted their horns as they flew down the roads, and spirits were high. Since most of the city was glued to their screens watching the match, we didn't have large crowds to fight through while we explored Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, or our very short stop into The Louvre, but once we were done being tourists and France brought home the win, the energy levels in the city skyrocketed.

Even though most of the streets were closed to traffic, it didn't stop cars and motorcycles from flying through, horns blaring, high 5's being tossed to close by pedestrians, and flags wildly waving.

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

I remember when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, excitement was high, but I don't think us Americans could even hold a candle to how the French celebrated their victory. The noise levels alone were through the roof! While many opted to celebrate on the ground, there were plenty celebrating from their terraces, waving their flags and pouring water and wine on the pedestrians below and clanging their pots and pans together.

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

The energy was almost tangible, and I actually did have a few people grab my arm and ask me to take their photo. Probably because I was one of the few walking around with my bulky dslr camera, they might have thought I was a reporter or something? They'll probably be disappointed to know they'll just get a small feature on my tiny little blog lol ;)

World Cup 2018
World Cup 2018


Even though I am not French and am not a soccer fan, for a short time we were welcomed into the fold, hooting and hollering, passing out our own high 5's, and just living in this once in a lifetime moment. We joined the throngs of fans walking through the streets from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe where motorcycles were doing burnouts and fireworks were flying through the sky.

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

World Cup 2018

While my once in a lifetime trip didn't turn out how I expected it to, I feel really blessed we just happened to be in Paris for this amazing event. It was truly incredible experience that my family will remember forever. Congrats to France for being the Champions du Monde!

World Cup 2018


Did you watch any of the World Cup? If so, which team were you rooting for?



31 comments:

  1. Look at Jason with da beer! :) Did he like German and French beer more than American ones?
    We do celebrate sport successes massively in Europe. Our water-polo national team just became champions of Europe two days ago and we are greeting the whole team at Belgrade's main city square. Probably about 50.000 to 100.000 people will gather under the house of parliament balcony to greet them.
    We had our team at World Cup too in soccer but they were scandalously robbed by the referees. I did cheer for France as Croatian team sung nationalist, deeply offensive songs after every victory and I don't like that.
    The whole country was massively happy, though, when our Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon a week ago! He is our biggest pride and joy.

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    1. Jason always buys the imported beers because he's not a fan of the American ones. Though, I don't think Heineken is a favorite but he will drink it on occasion. He's more into craft and microbrews like Yuengling and Sam Adams.

      Good luck to your water polo team! Will you be headed to the city square to join the celebrations?

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    2. Nope, you know I live about three hours from the capitol :)

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    3. Is that by train? I knew you weren't right on it, but I didn't realize you were that far out.

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    4. No, that's by express bus, train takes at least four hours (in reality usually five or six if you're lucky that day). They did announce the construction of new speedy railways from Budapest to Belgrade (my city would be the main border stop) but I'm not stupid enough to believe it LOL

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  2. I always try to avoid peak season times in many places for said reason.

    While I'm glad France won this time, if I was in Europe during the world cup I'd be like "it's just soccer, calm down"

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    1. There was no calming them down. Those celebrations went on well past 3am! It was nuts!

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  3. I didn't watch it. I have to say that I like soccer more than American football. Congrats to them on winning. Although I do feel for you. I'd want to visit sites as well. Bummer that it all happened where you couldn't go on them. It would have been ideal if they kept stuff open + had parties in the streets. A win, win for everyone except the people that work at the tourist visit spots. Too bad workers. Ha!

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    1. I think crowd control was the main issue. They couldn't have everything open with so many people crowding the areas at once. Say what you will about Americans and our gun problem, but their street police were walking around with submachine guns. Never have I seen anything like that in the US. It was a bit intimidating!

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  4. I love that people wanted you to take their picture. That's awesome an you got some really great shots.

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    1. I think the Europeans are just more open and free like that. They had no issue, even when we were in London, inserting themselves into our photos. I love their zest for life!

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  5. I really love the vibe that comes with the World Cup. Even people who have no interest in soccer - like me - suddenly get so amped about soccer. You just can't say no to the feeling.

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    1. I hear ya! I don't even like soccer, but I was digging the excitement of the moment!

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  6. I love how seriously they take the world cup over there. It's so weird because no one here in the US even cares, you know - so weird to me.

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    1. Right!? It was so weird to me too, but I am sure they feel the same about our baseball and football.

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  7. I bet that was one heck of a celebration! Congrats to France on winning the World Cup! This would have been awesome to be in attendance!

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    1. I couldn't keep up with their energy. The French do know how to party! lol

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  8. Jason even has on the right color! I do think it would have been fun to be there when they won the World Cup. I didn't watch this year...first time in a long time that I didn't. I think they are fun to watch.

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    1. I wish we would have bought a French flag to blend in. We definitely stuck out as tourists, but you're right, at least he had on the blues :)

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  9. Jason sure looks like a happy camper. Sometimes things turn out different than expected but are a great experience still. I didn't even know who won the world cup, that lets you know how much I care about soccer haha

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    1. Yeah, I don't think most of us in US and Canada give a flying fig about soccer. I didn't even realize it was such a big deal until all of my stuff got cancelled because of it.

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  10. Ah, always the unexpected when it comes to trips. I'm glad you guys had the best time in Paris though. It will always be one of my favorite places to visit. Always so beautiful and full of life!

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    1. I would definitely love to go back and see it when it's not so festive. Everyone we met though was so welcoming, but I don't think we got to really experience anything that Paris had to offer. Still, an amazing trip, for sure!

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  11. Toni | Boulder LocavoreJuly 31, 2018 at 11:01 PM

    What a great way to celebrate! Looks so much fun! Such an amazing experience!

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  12. Sounds great! Nice to see the way they celebrate their happiness...

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  13. That sounds like it was such a fun time! I love all the pictures you shared.

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  14. I’d take Paris closed up or otherwise! Looks like even though the city was all revved up for the World Cup that it was sill a great vacay. That beer looks amazing!

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  15. I did not watch any of the World Cup. Although your trip didn't turn out as planned, it seems it was still a good time. I love high energy that's positive.

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  16. I did not watch any either. How exciting that you were in Paris at the same time. Your photos are amazing!

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  17. I bet this was a thrilling celebration. I am sure the energy was bananas for the the World Cup!

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  18. Lucky you! We were at the Bastille Day celebration near the Central Park while watching the final! Oooh how fun.. and we bought so many croissants, crépes, macarron et more to celebrate the victory!

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