I travelled 212 miles for a viral street party - I'd do it again in a heartbeat

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

I went to the annual street festival in Paris and saw a different side of the country during Fête de la Musique - music blasted, strangers danced, and for once, it felt like everyone was truly living and enjoying
I travelled to Paris to experience the annual street music takeover and found freedom, joy, and far too many stairs. Fête de la Musique turned the streets of Paris into good chaos, calm and everything in between and for one hot summer day, I was right in the middle of it.
People tend to associate Paris is the city of love, fashion and all things art – but for one weekend, it felt different. It felt more like a city of vibes, dancing, and culture.
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The streets of Paris were undeniably electric - music blaring from every corner, people dancing like no one was watching, and the French, Brits and even Americans stepping out in their best fits. I'd never seen the city like this. Sure, I'd only been to Paris once before, for Disneyland; but still. This was different.
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For most people, Fête de la Musique is just a party. But to Parisians, it's a day of sound, movement, and pure joy. I first heard about the event through TikTok where talk of the festival had gone viral. I booked my ticket after watching videos that had gained thousands of likes, thinking: 'Yes; this is a bit of me - pure vibes, dancing and the city of love.'
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If I'm being completely honest, the viral videos influenced my decision to spend almost £500 on my hotel and train ride across the border. I could've booked a cheeky beach holiday for less, but it wasn't just the videos that had me curious - it was the debate between Brits and the French that made me want to go even more. Some Parisians on TikTok were warning Brits off, calling it a 'glorified block party.' But I had to see it for myself.
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When the day of Fête came, I got ready, put on my outfit and headed to my first stop: Châtelet les Halles. It was early and the streets were already packed. One thing that shocked me? Every shop was open. Not boarded up or braced for chaos like at Notting Hill Carnival. Some people were even shopping like there wasn't a full-blown street party happening outside. That alone made it feel different.
The music was loud and at first, the crowd looked overwhelming - it was 35 degrees, and it seemed like there wasn't space to breathe. But I didn't come all this way to stand outside the action. So I went in. And it didn't disappoint.
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It wasn't long before the contagious energy got to me with songs I'd never heard before. I was dancing like no one was watching because, honestly, no one cared, no one judged and that alone is a rare sight.
In the UK, you sometimes hold back in the dance worrying about someone watching, filming or judging. But here? People were just dancing. It was free, easy. A vibe you don't find often.
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When we'd had enough of that crowd, we travelled to a completely different part of Paris for another party. We had to take the Metro to get there and let me just say this: Paris and stairs? Criminal. Every station had so many I genuinely started questioning my life choices - but also contributed to my step intake. So, in all fairness the stairs did me a favour.
Once all my dancing was done, I perched myself on the edge of a lake and it gave me the stillness my body didn't know it needed. It might've just been one day, but it made me feel something I hadn't felt in a while - completely present. That's the power of good music, a good crowd, and a city that finally lets its hair down.
While I had a great time at Fête, the French told no lies when they said it was a glorified block party - a really good one. Despite all the chaos going on in the world, this day felt like a reminder. Joy is still possible. And when people come together, something truly beautiful happens.
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