Know Before You Go: Celebrating Bastille Day in Paris

On July 14, 1789, rioters stormed Paris’ Bastille prison—a symbol of royal authority—to search for weaponry and free its prisoners. Economic precarity contributed to public discontent with King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette; the storming of the prison was the first mass uprising by the French people against the king’s rule. France first established the holiday in 1880, and today July 14 is celebrated as the country’s national day, one which commemorates the civic values of liberté, égalité, and fraternité.

Related: 6 Must-See French Revolution Sites in Paris

Bastille Day celebrations kick off with a great ceremony, beginning early in the morning on the 14th. A military parade is held along Paris’ iconic Champs-Élysées—troops march in formation in front of adoring crowns, all overseen by France’s president. Then, the spectacle takes to the skies as military aircraft conduct a flyover and aerial show.

During the day, many of Paris’ museums and monuments are open to the public. (Note that the Arc de Triomphe, located at the end of the Champs-Élysées, only opens its doors once the parade has concluded.) If you need to beat the heat, it’s a good idea to head indoors for an hour or two of cultural immersion. You can also toast with a flute of Champagne at one of the city’s cafés—or aboard a Seine river cruise.

If you want to grab a spot along the Champs-Élysées—one of the best places in Paris to watch the Bastille Day festivities—prepare to arrive very early to beat the crowds; terraces overlooking the street begin to close starting at 8am, and many Métro stations in the area close from 6:30am until early afternoon. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to go through a security screening process. It’s also possible to book a hotel room overlooking the Champs-Élysées for the best views, but you’ll need to do so well in advance—and prepare to pay a premium.

It wouldn’t be Bastille Day without the fireworks. Every year, the holiday peaks with a grand fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro Gardens. Though the show doesn’t typically kick off until 11pm (and lasts for about 30 minutes), spectators begin to gather beginning in the afternoon on the Champ de Mars in front of the tower for picnics. A series of free concerts, including classical music performances featuring internationally celebrated artists, are also held from the early evening onwards.

However, if you’d prefer to watch the fireworks with slightly smaller crowds, consider an alternative vantage point—anywhere that offers a clear view of the Eiffel Tower is a good bet. Popular options include Belvédère de Belleville, Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, and Montparnasse Tower. Some evening river cruises also offer prime viewing of the fireworks.

Insider tip: Bathrooms are hard to find near the Champ de Mars, and you’re not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks.

If you’re hoping to truly celebrate le Quatorze Juillet like the Parisians do, check out the bals de pompier: a series of smaller-scale street parties hosted by fire stations all across the city. Beginning on the 13th and held late into the night on the 14th, these decidedly local celebrations feature music, dancing, and copious amounts of Champagne. There’s no more festive way to see out the holiday in style.

Insider tip: Bring cash with you. Some firemen’s balls charge a small entrance fee, and the ones that don’t will still encourage donations to help cover the cost of the celebrations.

• Can tourists participate in Bastille Day events in Paris? Yes, tourists are welcome to celebrate Bastille Day with the French.
• Is public transportation affected on Bastille Day in Paris? Yes, some Métro stations and bus routes will be closed to accommodate Bastille Day events. You can also expect traffic disruptions, especially during the parade.
• Are there family-friendly activities during Bastille Day in Paris? The parade and the fireworks are both family-friendly. During the day, families often picnic in parks.
• Are there special foods to eat on Bastille Day? There aren't special foods per se, but eating in the streets and planning a simple picnic with traditional French food such as baguettes, cheese, and a bottle of wine will make you fit in with the rest of the country.
• Are there any free things to do on Bastille Day? While the parade and fireworks are free to attend, you can also visit some of Paris' favorite cultural institutions, such as the Louvre, for free.