Bastille Day in Paris, also known as La Fête Nationale or Bastille Day, is one of the most iconic celebrations in France. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution.
Once again this year, the Eiffel Tower will light up on July 14 to celebrate the French national holiday.
On the agenda: a fireworks display celebrating the Paris Agreement and the France–Brazil Season, launched from the Champ-de-Mars and the Trocadéro. A thousand drones will highlight environmental themes and Brazilian culture—a show not to be missed!
|
Schedule |
Activities |
|---|---|
|
July 12-13 th evening |
firemen's ball for a very Parisian atmosphere. |
|
July 14 th (early evening) |
Festive dinner at La Bonne Franquette. Restaurant La Bonne Franquette (2, rue des Saules, 18ᵉ) Special menu on 14 July (~ €40 excluding drinks), warm atmosphere in the dining room or on the terrace, ideal for a festive, typically Montmartre dinner. |
|
July 14 the (09:30-11:00 PM) |
Climb up to Montmartre or rooftop to admire the fireworks. |
Here is the full program:
– Military and Aerial Parade on the Champs-Élysées:
The traditional military parade will begin at 10:00 AM on the Champs-Élysées, featuring various units of the French armed forces. This year’s parade will include tributes to the 100th anniversary of the “Eternal Flame under the Arc de Triomphe” committee and the centenary of Le Bleuet de France.
7,000 participants, 155 vehicles, 200 horses, 63 planes, and 33 helicopters are expected.
Spectators will have the chance to admire iconic Leclerc tanks, Caesar artillery systems, and next-generation Scorpion armored vehicles—symbols of the strength and modernity of the French Army.
The Patrouille de France will fly over the Champs-Élysées with eight aircraft.
– The Concert at the Champ-de-Mars:
As every year, a free symphonic concert will bring together the Orchestre National de France, the Choir and Maîtrise of Radio France, along with major international soloists, on the Champ-de-Mars.
Leading figures from the classical music world will be featured, with the Orchestre National de France at center stage.
We recommend arriving early in the evening—ideally before 8:00 PM—to attend the Paris Concert and secure a good spot.
Be sure to check which metro stations are open (such as Bir-Hakeim), and consider viewing points along the riverbanks in case the Champ-de-Mars is full.
– July 14th Fireworks Display:
The highlight of the evening will be the traditional fireworks show, launched at 11:00 PM from the Eiffel Tower and the Champ-de-Mars.
The show will feature four major sequences and 11 scenes, each guided by powerful themes: the Seine River, the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Brazil (Belém and the Amazon), a return to the Seine, and a segment dedicated to the New Romantics—a symbol of love, friendship, and solidarity. The fireworks will be set to a diverse soundtrack that reflects today's global challenges.
Access to the show is, of course, free and requires no reservation.
DANCING BALL - Firefighters' Ball: the night of 13 July, from 9pm
1st: Rousseau (21, rue du Jour)
4th: Sévigné (07-09, rue de Sévigné)
6th: la Monnaie (11, quai de Conti)
6th: Colombier (11, rue du Vieux Colombier)
9th: Blanche (28, rue Blanche)
12th: Chaligny (26 rue Chaligny)
13th arrondissement: Port-Royal (53-55, boulevard Port-Royal)
13th arrondissement: Massena (37, boulevard Masséna)
15th: Grenelle (6, Place Violet)
17th: Boursault (27, rue Boursault)
18th: Montmartre (12, rue Carpeaux)
19th: Bitche (2, place de Bitche)
20th: Menilmontant (47, rue Saint-Fargeau)
Practical tips
Anticipate the crowds: Montmartre is very busy on this day; we recommend arriving early (before 8pm) to guarantee a good spot to watch the fire
Post-fire transport: the metros run late (until ~2am) with some stations closed - use the RATP app or CityMapper to optimise your return journeys