If there is one event that you must not miss in France, it is its la Fête nationale- the national festival observed on le 14 Julliet- the 14th of July. More popularly it is known as Bastille Day. The day celebrates the anniversary of the Fête de la Fédération in 1790 after the storming of Bastille prison in 1789, when a large mob of angered French citizens stormed the fortress. The day is a potent symbol of the decay of the Ancien Régime and the birth of Liberal Democracy in France.
Why is the 14th July or Bastille Day Celebrated?
People outside France call it Bastille Day. For the French it is simply Le Juillet 14, the celebration of the Fête de la Fédération in 1790. The story remains the same- programmes and celebrations held to pay homage to all that fought for the independence of the poor from a tyrannical feudalism. The financial distress and crisis because of interference in the American Revolution had devastated the means of poorer men. The result was regressive and hefty taxes that managed to elevate the income of the Noble and the Mercantile class under Louis XVI. The French population was incensed, exacerbated by the poor harvest that year.
Louis XVI had replaced his previous Finance Minister Jacques Necker with Calonne, who suggested lavish spending to keep up appearances as a means to score loans. The convocation of the Estates General Meeting of the Clergy, Nobility, and the Commoners, was called in May 1789, the first one of them since 1614. The Third Estate soon broke free of the counsel and formed their own National Assembly because of the conservatism of the Second Estate. A rebellion ensued and on 14th of July 1789, Bastille, symbolic of royal tyranny, was overtaken to score arms to the cause. A year later, the Fête de la Fédération was formed to celebrate peace that Frenchmen had strived to achieve together. Ever since, the National Day of France is celebrated to commemorate the period of political and societal change. Just like the Fourth of July in America, 14th July marks the beginning of democracy in France.
How Do French Celebrate 14th of July?
Every year, citizens get a day off to celebrate the day with great pomp and joy. Patriotic Festivals, parties, and firework displays are held all over the country. The streets are decorated in shades of red, white, and blue to represent the ideals of the French Revolution. Every city observes the celebration, but the biggest Bastille Day program is held in Paris, the Capital.
Are The Bastille Day Celebrations on 13th July?
In 2026, Bastille Day celebrations will be held on the 13th of July instead of the customary 14th July. This is being done to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack on Nice. 10 years ago, in 2016, a 19-tonne cargo truck intentionally hit a crowd celebrating Bastille Day Thus, 14th July, this year, is dedicated to those on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, resulting in the 86 deaths.
Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris has agreed with the President’s Statement on the rescheduling. Thus, this year the Eiffel Tower will be shut on 13th July to prepare for the fireworks and drone show.
An online registration was also mandated previously to access the military parade organized for the National Holiday 2026. All registrations had to be made through the Élysée site. The issue has since been revoked by the Courts and you do not need to fret about your plans.
What to Do on Bastille Day in Paris?
While the official date is, as the French call the festival itself, le 14 Juillet, celebrations begin the night before. An open-air block party is held on the Place de la Bastille. While no recognizable part of the old fortress remains, the joy of rebellion in every Parisian’s hearts victoriously survives. Here is how Paris celebrates its La Fête Nationale in the City-
1. Military Day Parade at Champs-Elysées
The historic Military Day Parade at Champs-Elysées is Europe’s oldest and has been held every day since 1880. The French President arrives at the Arc de Triomphe to inspect the troops. The troops and officers alongside bands and jet displays then parade down the Champs-Elysées. The parade usually starts at 10:30 in the morning and usually lasts for an hour.
2. Free Concert
Champs de Mars, the park near Eiffel Tower is also the site of free open concerts. . Before the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower start, a league of amazing classic music and opera artists, the French National Orchestra, the Radio France Choir perform for free for the millions of Parisians that gather. The performance will also be broadcasted live on channels France Inter and France 2 TV. This year only the performance will start at 9:10 PM on 13th of July.
3. Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower
Late into the night, around 11:00 PM. The fireworks will start once the sky is finally almost dark. The entire spectacle lasts about 30 minutes, which you can watch from Champ de Mars. Some vacation planner sites like Viator and GetYourGuide also organize dinner cruises on the Seine on 14th of July. These reservations, however, have to be made prior as they keep running out. The Bridge of Alexander is also a great place to look at the fireworks.
Where Can I Watch The Bastille Day Fireworks?
If you have booked a hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower, or at least has a rooftop terrace open to guests, the views would still be visible. This is the best plan if you do not plan to wade through the crowd of millions of Parisians that gather to observe the celebrations.
Of course Champs de Mars and Trocadéro have great views and you can be a part of the celebration, but they tend to be heavily crowded. More distant places like the Tuileries Gardens, Park des Buttes-Chaumont, Montmartre Hill, and Place de la Concorde.
RER and Metro Stations Closed For 14th of July Fireworks
Many Metro and RER stations near the Eiffel Tower will be closed by 7:00 PM and will not operate for the rest of the night. All Metros running on line 6, 8, 9, 10, and 13 will stop their operating hours at the given time. The RER Stations- Avenue du Président Kennedy – Maison de Radio France, Champ-de-Mars – Tour Eiffel, , Javel, Invalides, and Pont de l’Alma will be closed. Will still be running, but the crowd will be huge and services will face disruptions. We also recommend you to avoid taking metros after the celebration. To leave from the Parisian fireworks celebration, walk a few miles away and then take an Uber from there.
Besides avoiding these roads, you should always be aware of pickpockets during occasions as huge as these. If you’re not planning on clicking any photos, make sure to leave your phone behind unless you want to Uber. People traveling in groups must make contingency plans in case you all get separated.
