8 Things To in Paris on Bastille Day: A Comprehensive Guide

Planning to visit Paris on Bastille Day? Or accidentally end up there but don’t know what to do now? Or are you wondering how to celebrate France’s biggest summer celebration and not miss out on anything special happening around the town? If any of the above statements sounds like you, I can help!

Bastille Day, July 14 (also known as “Le Quatorze Juillet”), marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a significant event in French history that led to the French Revolution. It’s a French National Holiday filled with festivities, fireworks, and French pride. 

If you know nothing about Bastille Day, this article is for you. I’ll share everything you need to know about celebrating It so that you can make the most of your trip to Paris on July 14th. 

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How do you experience the history and culture of Bastille Day in Paris?
• What is a Fireman’s Ball, and where can you find them on Bastille Day in Paris?
• Some of the top Paris events and activities to enjoy on Bastille Day
• The best places to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day in Paris
• Some tips for attending Paris events and activities on Bastille Day

History of Bastille Day:

Before we dive right into our main topic, let’s briefly touch on the history behind this national holiday.

Bastille Day is the French National Day, celebrated annually on July 14th. In English-speaking countries, it’s the common name given to France’s spirited Independence Day celebration.

In France, it’s formally called “Le Quatorze Juillet” (The Fourteenth of July), “La Fête Nationale Française” (The French National Celebration), or “Fête de la Fédération” (Festival of the Federation).

Bastille Day commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison in Paris by angry commoners, which was a turning point in French history. 

During the 1700s, France was under an absolute monarchy of King Louis XVI. However, the French people were extremely dissatisfied with the tyranny of royals due to many problems. These include high taxes, famine, economic inequality, and the so-called noble-commoner concept.

Bastille was originally built as a medieval fortress but eventually became a state prison where French royalty stored a large arsenal of gunpowder, explosives, and ammunition.

The Bastille prison was also known for holding political prisoners and innocent commoners detained by the nobles and French kings for trials. It was thus a symbol of the oppression and absolutism of the stuffy French monarchy.

On July 14, 1789, a mob of angry commoners fed up with the tyranny of royal power stormed and overthrew the Bastille prison. This amazing victory of commoners quickly signaled the start of the French Revolution and the end of the Ancien régime. This event eventually led to the adoption of the remarkable constituent, “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.”

See Related: Exploring Place de la Bastille: Paris’ Historic Square

Things to Do in Paris on Bastille Day:

Paris has many nicknames, such as “The City of Love,” “City of Lights,” and “City of Art.” I can’t imagine a city more charming than Paris on any day.

But on Bastille Day, it becomes full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness, with an impressively long military parade, dazzling fireworks show, delicious food, and tons of parties going around the town. Here are some of the best things to do on Bastille Day in Paris:

See Related: How to Eat a Croissant in Paris

1. Watch the Bastille Day Parade on The Avenue des Champs Elysées:

Start your Bastille Day in Paris by watching the traditional military parade down the Champs Elysées. The military parade has been a part of the celebration since 1880. It’s one of the oldest and largest regular military parades in Europe. 

The Bastille Day ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by a huge military parade that lasts about two hours. It features all sorts of cool military equipment, such as tanks, planes, helicopters, fighter jets, and drones. 

You will see impressive marching bands, inspiring French army soldiers on foot or horses or tanks, French senior officials, the President of the French Republic, and foreign guests. And let’s not forget the magnificent flyover of military aircraft featuring the colors of the French flag. It’s truly a scene to behold! 

To get the best view of the parade, arrive early and snag a spot at one of the reviewing Grandstands at the Des Champs Elysées.

Trust me, the crowds at the parade can become insanely massive. Plus, the seats are limited, and the security is tight, so you had better arrive early! 

Oh, and you should know that most of the metro stations are closed during the morning, from 6:30 am to 2:00 pm, on 14 Juillet for the Bastille Day parade and flyover.

Overall, watching the parade is a fantastic way to experience the patriotic spirit of the French people on Bastille Day. 

See Related: Fun & Interesting Facts About Paris

2. Enjoy the Dazzling Bastille Day Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower:

The Eiffel Tower is one of France’s most iconic landmarks. On Bastille Day, it puts on a dazzling fireworks show that looks like something out of a movie, with everything shining around you. The tower is lit up in red, white, and blue (the colors of the French flag) and sparkles with a stunning fireworks show.

The Bastille Day fireworks display starts at 11 p.m. and lasts about 30–35 minutes. Moreover, every year, the Paris fireworks show follows a unique theme (e.g., liberation, peace, Olympics, disco, etc.), making each fireworks display a once-in-a-lifetime moment! 

The best viewing spots for the Bastille Day fireworks are the Trocadéro and Champ de Mars. But they’re also very crowded with over a million Parisians and tourists. 

Some other popular yet less crowded locations to watch the fireworks include nearby river banks and bridges, hotel rooftops, any public park with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower, the Île des Cygne, Arc de Triomphe, and the area around Place de la Concorde.

TIP: As both the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro are massively crowded, stay cautious of pickpockets! I highly recommend keeping things simple and bringing what you REALLY REALLY need. Don’t bring any cash or other expensive items like jewelry – unless you’re wearing them!

See Related: Place de la Concorde: Explore the Historical Significance

3. Take a Boat Ride on The Seine River:

If you’re not a big fan of crowds or have a tight budget to stay near the Eiffel Tower but still want to enjoy the fireworks from a close spot, how about taking a dinner cruise on the Seine River? 

It’s romantic, away from massive crowds, and offers fancy 3-course meals, live music, and panoramic views as you cruise past all the famous landmarks of Paris along the Seine. 

Here are a few of my favorite Seine River dinner cruise tours to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day:

1. Dinner Cruise Bateaux Mouches – July The 14th
2. Paris: Bastille Day Seine River Dinner Cruise & Fireworks
3. Paris Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise With Champagne 
4. Paris: Seine River Sightseeing Cruise With 3-Course Dinner
5. Bastille Day Fireworks Prestige Dinner Cruise
6. Fireworks’ Bastille Day Cruise With Champagne

See Related: Best Boat Tours in Paris, France

4. Attend The Firemen’s Ball:

After you’re done watching the fireworks show, you can either call it a night and head back to your hotel or join the late-night Bastille Day celebrations at one of the Les Bals des Pompiers (Firemen’s Balls) going around Paris. 

These outdoor parties, organized by fire stations throughout the city, take place on July 13 and 14 every year, starting at 9 p.m. and lasting until 4 a.m. 

A fireman’s ball has been an essential part of Bastille Day festivities in Paris since 1937. The tradition started when the fire brigade of Montmartre opened its station doors for some curious Persians and had lots of fun partying all night. 

Since then, the idea of having some fun nights became famous in all the other fire stations. But don’t be fooled by the heavy word “Ball” with stuffy formal celebrations. These balls are nothing far from usual parties in the USA.  A fireman’s ball is an informal outdoor party with lots of dancing, music, alcohol, etc. 

See Related: Marchés Bastille et Popincourt

5. Discover the Treasures of the Louvre Museum For Free:

The next best thing to do on Bastille Day is to explore Paris’s most famous landmarks. All the city’s main cultural sites, including the famous Louvre Museum, will be open to the public on this special day. 

The Louvre Museum is home to iconic masterpieces created by some of the most influential artists ever to walk the Earth. These include the Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The Raft of Medusa by Théodore Géricault, and the Death of the Virgin by Caravaggio. 

It’s also one of the most visited museums in the world and has a crazy amount of artistic masterpieces that span centuries of human creativity. There is a famous saying that if you spend 30 seconds admiring each piece of art, it will take 5 months to see all the treasures at the Louvre. Now, just imagine how many art pieces would be there!

On Bastille Day, the Louvre Museum offers free admission to its permanent collection. So you can see this iconic Parisian museum without paying a single penny! But this also means the museum will overflow with visitors and long lines at the entrance. So, I recommend reserving a spot online in advance. Here are a few of my favorite skip-the-line tours of the Louvre Museum:

• Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket
• Louvre Museum Paris Exclusive Guided Tour With Reserved Entry
• Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket and Audioguide

NOTE: Other famous Paris museums and attractions that are open to the public on Bastille Day include Orsay, Picasso, Guimet, Grand Perfume, Centre Pompidou (which features an impressive collection of modern art), Catacombs (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Jardin d’ Acclimatation, Conciergerie (a museum about French history), and many more. So, you’ve plenty of choices to decide what landmark of Paris you want to explore. 

See Related: Most Famous Historical Landmarks in Paris

6. Shop ’til You Drop in Style:

Paris is known for its high-end luxury fashion brands and many Haute Couture Maisons. So why not spend Bastille Day doing some shopping therapy?

Unlike most other French holidays, Bastille Day is a great time to head out for some shopping. Many department stores and shopping complexes will be open on this special day. So you can take full advantage of summer sales and shop to your heart’s or your wallet’s content (pun intended!).

Many stores offer special sales and promotions on Bastille Day, making it the perfect time to snag a designer bargain. Check out the iconic Galeries Lafayette, Shopping Center Beaugrenelle, Bercy Village, or the trendy boutiques in Le Marais for some serious shopping. So don’t miss your chance to grab great deals while enjoying the Bastille Day festivities!

See Related: Best Free Walking Tours in Paris, France

7. Discover French Revolution History on a Walking Tour:

A French Revolution Walking Tour is best for those who want to celebrate Bastille Day more meaningfully. On this tour, you will learn more about the history and significance of this national holiday while feeling like a part of its celebration. 

On this tour, you are led by an expert guide who takes you to Paris’ most important revolutionary sites. For instance, landmarks like Place de la Bastille, Place des Vosges, Hotel de Ville, Colonne de Juillet, Place de la Concorde, and La Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette spent her final days. 

Furthermore, the expert guide also shares the long-forgotten fight for social equality and freedom. Among the stories they tell are how the stuffy French monarchy wronged the people and practically forced them to rebel, as well as how the infamous Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI met their ends on the guillotine’s blade.

See Related: Place des Vosges: History & Things to Do

8. Take a Bike Tour of The City on Bastille Day:

If you’re not a history lesson fan, try your hand at riding a bike around Paris. Not only are these tours perfect for exploring Paris’ most iconic landmarks, but they also give a chance to discover lesser-known districts and hidden gems known only to locals. 

Paris has over 200 miles of bike paths and lanes, tons of bike rentals throughout the city, and various guided tours. So, it’s safe to say Paris is a godsend for pedaling lovers. 

What’s more, many tour companies in Paris offer guided bike tours of the city year-round and on Bastille Day. These bike tours become even more exciting and fun, as you can join in the Bastille Day festivities around the town along the way. Here are a few of my favorite bike tours in Paris:

• Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour
• Paris Local Districts and Stories Off the Beaten Track Guided Bike Tour
• Electric Bike Tour of Paris’ Hidden Gems
• Paris Highlights Bike Tour with Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame
• The Incredible Flyover
• Latin Quarter 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

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Related Resources:

• Paris in July: Top Events and Attractions Guide
• Best Paris Bastille Hotels
• When is the Best Time to Visit Paris?

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