7 Things Worth Doing in Paris on Bastille Day

Bastille Day is the biggest public holiday in France. In Paris, it means an all-day celebration with a military parade, free museum access, open-air concerts, fire station parties, and the fireworks show everyone comes to see.

Here’s how to make the most of the day, with all the details.

1. Morning: Military Parade and Flyover

The official parade starts at 10 a.m., but the crowd gathers early. Soldiers, horses, military vehicles, and jets take over the Champs‑Élysées, marching from the Arc de Triomphe down to Place de la Concorde.

The best views are near Concorde or Franklin D. Roosevelt metro stations. Expect security checks and barricades, and plan to be in place by 8 a.m.

Around 10:30 a.m., the French Air Force jets roar overhead, trailing blue, white, and red smoke. It’s loud, fast, and always impressive.

Once the parade finishes, the area stays crowded for another hour or two.

2. Midday: Museums That Stay Open (Some are Free)

Several major museums are open, and a few offer free entry for Bastille Day. The Louvre waives its usual admission, but you still need to book a timed ticket in advance.

Orsay, the Pompidou, and the Musée de l’Armée at Les Invalides all open on their regular schedules, but with paid entry.

The Arc de Triomphe stays closed during the parade but reopens in the afternoon. Other sights like the Conciergerie, Sainte‑Chapelle, and Panthéon stay open, but check their hours before heading out.

Versailles also opens normally but requires advance tickets. Note that the Tuileries Garden is closed in the morning and only reopens once the parade route is cleared.

3. Early Evening: Fire Station Parties

One of the most local traditions on Bastille Day is the “Bal des Pompiers“, a late-night dance party held inside real fire stations.

Some events start on the evening of July 13 and continue the following night. Entry is free, though a donation at the door is encouraged. These parties run until 3 or 4 a.m. and can get packed, especially the more central ones.

Here are the main fire stations where you can go:

Caserne du Vieux‑Colombier, located at 11 rue du Vieux‑Colombier in the 6th arrondissement – popular and central.

Caserne Blanche at 28 rue Blanche in the 9th – usually draws a younger crowd.

Caserne Port‑Royal at 55 boulevard de Port‑Royal in the 13th – offers a more neighborhood vibe.

Caserne Grenelle at 6 place Violet in the 15th – often lively but less packed.

Caserne Dauphine at 8 rue Mesnil in the 16th – good local turnout.

Caserne Boursault on rue Boursault in the 17th and Caserne de Bitche at 2 place de Bitche in the 19th. The latter offers a family-friendly dance from 7 to 9 p.m. before the general crowd arrives.

Others include Caserne de Ménilmontant at 47 rue Saint‑Fargeau in the 20th and the Montmartre fire station at 12 rue Carpeaux in the 18th.

Drinks and snacks are available inside, and there’s music and dancing until late. Lines can form early, and once capacity is reached, they don’t let more people in.

4. Late Afternoon: Concert at the Eiffel Tower

Every year, the Orchestre National de France, along with the Radio France Choir and Maîtrise, performs a large classical concert on the Champ‑de‑Mars right below the Eiffel Tower.

The concert usually starts around 8:30 p.m., but the area fills up by late afternoon. No entry fee, no tickets, just show up with something to sit on and be ready for crowds.

Sound quality is surprisingly good even from the back of the field, and big screens help you see the stage.

5. River Cruises and Picnic Spots

If you’re not into waiting in the grass for hours, a dinner cruise is the most comfortable way to spend the evening. Diamand Bleu, Bateaux Mouches, Bateaux Parisiens, Capitaine Fracasse, and all offer Bastille Day dinner cruises with views of the Eiffel Tower.

They usually leave between 8 and 9 p.m. and serve multi-course meals including wine or live music. Cruises last around three hours and time their routes for the fireworks.

A more casual option is to bring a picnic to the Champ‑de‑Mars or the Trocadéro. Arrive before 7 p.m. if you want a decent spot. Once you’re seated, you’re there for the long haul, so bring water, snacks, and something soft to sit on.

6. The Fireworks Show

The main fireworks show starts at 11 p.m. and lasts around 30 minutes. It’s launched from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro gardens. Sound and music play across the Champ‑de‑Mars, synchronized to the bursts.

The view from the Trocadéro esplanade is spectacular but fills early. You can also pick a rooftop bar, a Seine boat deck, or a high-up spot like Montmartre further away.

7. Versailles Night Fountains and Fireworks

If you’re willing to skip the Paris fireworks and head to Versailles, the Night Fountain Show takes place in the Château’s gardens with baroque music and a fireworks finale.

The show starts around 8:30 p.m. and ends close to midnight. Tickets are required and sell out fast. It’s a good alternative if you like a more organized setting, though transport back to Paris after midnight may be tight.

What to Know Before You Go

Transportation gets complicated. Metro lines stay open late, but several stations near the Eiffel Tower and Champs‑Élysées will close for security reasons. Walking is often faster. Taxis are scarce after midnight.

Shops, bakeries, and small cafés often close for the holiday. Stock up on food and water early in the day.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. You’ll be outside most of the day, often with little shade and long waits.

Book everything you can in advance. That includes cruises, museum entries, Versailles tickets, and even restaurant tables if you’re eating out.