Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
In real life Every year on July 14 · Parade ~10:00 AM · fireworks after dark
Next: Wednesday, July 14, 2027 (expected)
France's national day starts with the military parade down the Champs-Élysées and ends with fireworks in the evening, traditionally launched from the Eiffel Tower.
July 14, the Fête nationale, marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and has been France's national holiday since 1880. In Paris it starts with a military parade down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, with a flypast overhead. The parade has used this route since 1980.
In the evening, fireworks are traditionally set off at the Eiffel Tower. Across France, towns hold firemen's balls (bals des pompiers) in squares and fire stations, a custom dating back to 1937. As a public holiday, it is a day for crowds, patriotic spectacle and late nights.
🎟 Cost: Free
🕒 When: Every year on July 14, Parade ~10:00 AM · fireworks after dark
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ℹ️ In 2026 the Eiffel Tower fireworks were moved to July 13 to mark ten years since the Nice attack, and the Paris firemen's balls were cancelled in a heatwave. Check the year's plans before you go.
What to expect
- The morning military parade down the Champs-Élysées, with an air show overhead
- Marching units from France's military schools, the Republican Guard and military vehicles
- Evening fireworks traditionally launched near the Eiffel Tower
- Firemen's balls in fire stations and public squares on July 13 and/or 14
Tips for going
- Get to the Champs-Élysées early for the parade. Security checks and crowds build fast.
- For fireworks, the Champ-de-Mars, Trocadéro, the Seine bridges, Montparnasse Tower and Montmartre are the classic viewpoints.
- July 14 is a public holiday, so some shops and services keep reduced hours.
- Check the year's plans before you go. The format of the Eiffel Tower fireworks can change from year to year.
Questions people ask
Is it free?
Yes. Watching the parade and fireworks from public spaces is free.
What time is the parade?
It is a morning event, starting around 10 AM. Arrive well before.
Are there events on July 13?
Often, yes. Firemen's balls and some local fireworks happen on the 13th, the 14th or both, so check local schedules.
About Paris
The Champ de Mars stretches from the École Militaire to the Eiffel Tower. Across the Seine, the Trocadéro terraces give the classic view of the tower, framed by Haussmann boulevards.
Getting there: Métro line 6 stops at Bir-Hakeim and lines 6 and 9 at Trocadéro. RER C stops at Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel.
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Also in Paris
In real lifeDetails checked against www.france.fr. Organizers change plans, so confirm there before you go.
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