If you’re in Paris in July, don’t miss Bastille Day on July 14th. The city dresses up in blue, white, and red. Besides the famous military parade, there are lots of other activities to enjoy on this national holiday.
1) Watch the grand military parade on the Champs-Élysées
On the morning of July 14, 2025, the famous Bastille Day military parade takes place along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde.
The event starts at 10 a.m. and features over 6,000 soldiers, 200 horses, 155 vehicles, and impressive flyovers by 63 aircraft and 33 helicopters, including the Patrouille de France.
President Emmanuel Macron reviews the troops, and Indonesia is the guest of honor this year, with Indonesian troops joining the parade. The parade is free to watch, but you should arrive early due to crowds and security checks.
2) See the amazing fireworks light up the Eiffel Tower
After the concert, you can finally watch the 14th of July fireworks.
Each year, a fireworks display is fired from the Jardins du Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower, and spectators are invited to take their place on the lawn of the Champ de Mars.
A different theme is set each year, making this experience unique from year to year. It is a world-renowned pyrotechnic show that will amaze you with its grandeur and magic.
It starts at 11 p.m. and lasts about 30 minutes.
3) Dance at a fun firemen’s ball in a real fire station
To continue this beautiful evening, why not take part in one of the famous firefighters’ balls in Paris?
Held on the nights of July 13th and 14th, these events usually attract a large number of participants and are traditionally very popular. Balls are organized in several fire stations across the capital:
- Caserne Rousseau, 21 rue du Jour 75001 PARIS
- Caserne Sévigné, 07-09 rue de Sévigné 75004 PARIS
- CCL 5, Arènes de Lutèce, 49-53 rue Monge 75005 PARIS
- Caserne Colombier, 11 rue du Vieux Colombier 75006 PARIS
- Caserne Blanche, 28 rue Blanche 75009 PARIS
- Caserne Chaligny, 26 rue de Chaligny 75012 PARIS
- Caserne Massena, 37 boulevard Masséna 75013 PARIS
- Caserne Port-Royal, 53-55 boulevard Port-Royal 75013 PARIS
- Caserne Grenelle, 06 place Violet 75015 PARIS
- Caserne Boursault, Centre de secours et voie publique, 27 rue Boursault 75017 PARIS
- Caserne Montmartre, 12 rue Carpeaux 75018 PARIS
- Caserne Bitche, Centre de secours et voie publique, 02 place de Bitche 75019 PARIS
- Caserne Ménilmontant, 47 rue Saint-Fargeau 75020 PARIS
4) Join the party and dance at the Jardin d’Acclimatation
Jardin d’Acclimatation, Bois de Boulogne, Rte de la Prte Dauphine à la Prte des Sablons, 75116 Paris
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For the 14th of July, the Jardin d’Acclimatation is organizing a musical ball.
You will have the opportunity to dance to the rhythm of the music, attend performances by professional dancers, or take part in initiations or dance lessons.
That’s truly a festive 14th of July!
5) Visit museums for free and discover cool art
Many museums and tourist sites are open to the public on July 14th and offer free admission all day.
Notably, the Louvre Museum is free all day on this national holiday, allowing visitors to explore its permanent collections without charge, though you need to book a free ticket in advance online due to high demand.
Other museums that are typically free on Bastille Day include:
- Musée Delacroix
- Musée des Arts et Métiers
- Picasso Museum
- Musée de Cluny
- Rodin Museum
- Musée d’Orsay
- Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
- Gustave Moreau Museum
6) Explore a castle near Paris for a royal adventure
During the national holiday, why not visit the castles around Paris?
You will find the Château de Vincennes, the Château de Chantilly, the Château de Rambouillet, the Château de Fontainebleau or the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte all within 1.5 hours.
7) Have fun at the Fête des Tuileries fairground
Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Even though they are not organized just on this particular day, some ongoing summer events are open on Bastille Day and are worth a look.
Like the fête des Tuileries: a huge funfair with more than 60 attractions, of which about twenty are merry-go-rounds.
It’s held in the Tuileries Garden from June to August.
8) Relax and play at Paris Plages, the city beach
- Seine quays
- Bassin de la Villette
Every summer, from July 5 to August 31, 2025, Paris Plages turns several spots in the city into free beach areas.
You can swim in safe pools at the Bassin de la Villette, Canal Saint-Martin, and in the Seine River at three new places: Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Quai de Bercy.
Besides swimming, Paris Plages offers lots of fun activities like concerts, sports, workshops for kids, exhibitions, games, and places to relax along the Seine and at the Bassin de la Villette.
This year, the event celebrates Brazil with colorful cultural and festive shows.
It’s a great way to enjoy summer in Paris with swimming, fun, and a party atmosphere—all for free!
9) Find a great spot to watch the sunset over Paris
Once the evening has come, why not enjoy the magnificent sunset over Paris? Many spots are available to spend the best moment possible:
– Seine quays
– Trocadéro
– Rooftop terrace of Printemps
– Arc de Triomphe
From those places, and their stunning views, you will have the opportunity to admire the Parisian sky fading to orange and pink while waiting for dusk.
Check out the 8 best spots for magical sunsets in Paris.
10) Take a boat cruise on the Seine for fireworks views
A romantic alternative is offered by a lot of Seine cruise providers.
Here, it’s a question of combining the comfort of a water stroll with the amazement of a firework display, all of this to give a singular and unforgettable moment.
⚠️ Those cruises must be booked weeks, if not months, in advance. Tickets sell out fast.
14th of July Bastille Day Dinner Cruises on the Seine
11) Go up to a rooftop for the best city views
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Note to those who would like to gain height: some places (hotels and restaurants) offer their clients access to their panoramic roofs for Bastille Day night and the fireworks.
The Hotel Raphael, The Peninsula Paris, Le Ciel de Paris, Les Ombres or even the Novotel Paris Vaugirard Montparnasse can welcome you to this event.
12) Enjoy a free concert on the Champ-de-Mars
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Before the fireworks, enjoy a free classical concert at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The Orchestre National de France, Radio France Choir and Maîtrise perform iconic pieces with guest soloists.
Price: It’s free, no need to book, but you should arrive way before it starts.
13) See the giant Olympic cauldron glow in the Tuileries
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From June 21 to September 14, 2025, the Paris Cauldron, a 30-meter Olympic-inspired flame, lights up the Tuileries every night.
On Bastille Day, it’s a great spot to enjoy the evening before the fireworks.
With a passion for travel and having visited over 50 countries, Dorian is eager to share his favorite spots and expert tips to help you explore Paris and France like a local.
