On 14 July, France turns blue, white and red. The Fête Nationale — better known as Bastille Day — is France’s national holiday and one of Europe’s most spectacular free celebrations. In Paris the Champ-de-Mars thunders with fireworks, thousands of soldiers march along the Champs-Élysées, and brass bands play on every town square in the country. Everything is completely free.
Free entry — all public celebrations, the military parade and the fireworks are completely free to attend.
How it started
On 14 July 1789, insurgent Parisians stormed the Bastille — a royal prison that symbolised the arbitrariness of the ancien régime. The fall of the Bastille is considered the starting shot of the French Revolution. Since 1880, 14 July has been France’s official national holiday.
What to expect
The day starts with the military parade on the Champs-Élysées — Europe’s largest and most impressive military procession, with infantry, cavalry, aircraft and helicopters passing the Arc de Triomphe. Throughout the day, free concerts, folk dances and festivities take place across Paris and in cities and villages throughout France. A beloved tradition are the bals des pompiers — parties organised by fire stations where Parisians dance through the night. Late in the evening, around 11pm, fireworks explode above the Eiffel Tower.
Practical info
- Date: annually on 14 July
- Entry: completely free
- Military parade: starts at 10:00 on the Champs-Élysées; arrive early for a good spot
- Fireworks: around 23:00 at the Eiffel Tower; best viewing spots are Trocadéro, Champ-de-Mars and Pont d’Iéna
- Getting there: metro line 6 (Bir-Hakeim) or line 9 (Trocadéro); expect crowds
- Tip: bring a picnic blanket — thousands of Parisians spend the evening on the grass of the Champ-de-Mars waiting for the fireworks