Le Quatorze Juillet – Bastille Day Celebrations in Paris

It's hard to beat the energy of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. Fireworks blaze above the Eiffel Tower, bands march down the Champs-Élysées, and the city throws itself into a heady mix of pageantry and joy. July 14 marks the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 — the symbolic start of the French Revolution — and more than two centuries later, the French still know how to throw a revolutionary party.

From elegant dinner cruises to champagne-fueled cabarets, Bastille Day in Paris offers more than just history lessons. It's a rare day when locals and visitors alike pack the city's streets, riverbanks, and rooftops in collective celebration. But not everything shuts down for the holiday — in fact, many of the best events sell out well in advance. This guide rounds up the top ways to celebrate like a Parisian — with flair, food, and a few fireworks overhead.

Our Top-Rated Bastille Day Experiences

Bastille Day Dinner Cruise & Fireworks Show

Bateaux sail on the Seine River beneath the Eiffel Tower, photo by  Julie on Unsplash

Celebrate July 14 from the Seine

This one's hard to beat. A five-course dinner cruise along the Seine is already an enviable way to spend any evening in Paris. Add live music, wine, and a front-row seat to the city's biggest fireworks show, and you've got Bastille Day celebrations done right.

As the Eiffel Tower lights up the night, you'll be watching from the best vantage point in town — gliding on the river, dessert fork in hand. The cruise is a hot ticket for Bastille Day in Paris, and for good reason. Fireworks over the Iron Lady, no elbowing through crowds, and someone else pouring the Champagne? Très bien. Book early, though — these boats don't wait around.

Romance, Yes – But Also Bastille Day

Bastille Day Dinner Cruise with Eiffel Tower Fireworks

Don't let the title fool you. While the listing says "Valentine's Day Dinner Cruise", the only date you can actually book it is July 14 — which makes it one of the more amusing quirks of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. Fortunately, what it lacks in calendar logic, it makes up for in sheer Parisian charm.

This cruise is built for romance, but the mood suits Bastille Day just fine: candlelit tables, a decadent French menu, Champagne, and front-row seats to the Eiffel Tower fireworks. It's all aboard a stylish bateau gliding along the Seine, well away from the fray of crowded riverbanks. Bastille Day in Paris gets a bit of extra sparkle when viewed from here — even if it's wearing a Valentine's Day costume.

Picnic Cruise for Bastille Day Celebrations

Illustration of Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower

Bastille Day Celebrations with a Twist

Who says you need white linen and silverware to enjoy Bastille Day in Paris? This laid-back picnic cruise offers a refreshingly casual way to soak up the festivities. Hop aboard at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and settle in with a picnic box — think fresh salad, sandwich, chips, dessert, and a bottle of water.

As the boat glides along the Seine, you'll pass by Paris's greatest hits: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay, and more. The atmosphere is relaxed, the views are unbeatable, and the vibe is pure summer-in-Paris magic. The cruise wraps up just in time for the grand finale: the Eiffel Tower fireworks, viewed from a prime riverside spot.

It's an easy, breezy way to partake in Bastille Day celebrations without the fuss — just good food, great views, and the sparkling Paris skyline.

Gourmet Lunch on the River

A Midday Cruise for Bastille Day feasting

If fireworks aren't your thing but foie gras is, consider this civilized take on Bastille Day celebrations: a gourmet lunch cruise gliding past the very landmarks that shaped the Revolution. You float by the Conciergerie — once Marie Antoinette's last unfortunate address — and toast to liberté with wine in hand.

Bastille Day in Paris gets a little more refined on this midday escape, where multiple courses meet riverside views. Think of it as a slow parade of food and scenery — without having to elbow your way down the Champs-Élysées. The vibe is relaxed but celebratory, and yes, you'll want to book early. Parisians might not rush breakfast, but they don't mess around when it comes to lunch on July 14.

What To Do On Bastille Day!

Dinner & Show at the Moulin Rouge

Bastille Day with Sequins and Champagne

On Bastille night, dine at the Moulin Rouge and then marvel at the number-one rated cabaret in Europe. Your ticket includes everything — a 3-course dinner, champagne, and the spectacular cabaret. Take in the amazing show, sipping champagne as you marvel at the costumes, sets, and dancers. Truly a night to remember. Be sure to choose the Belle Epoque Menu for the very best experience. Moulin Rouge regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Walk the Revolution: Retracing History on Bastille Day

Relive the Events of July 14, 1789

Sometimes the best Bastille Day celebrations aren't about fireworks or foie gras — they're about walking straight into the storm. This walking tour traces the steps of the French Revolution, from murmurs of revolt to the storming of the Bastille itself. It's ideal for those who want to know what Bastille Day in Paris is actually about — and not just where to watch the pyrotechnics.

Led by a local expert and rated a flawless 5 out of 5 by travelers, this tour brings the chaos, courage, and consequences of July 14 to life. You'll visit the sites where history turned on its heel, and maybe come away with a bit more appreciation for liberté, égalité, and a well-timed revolt.

The Food & Wine of the Marais

Historic Streets, Local Bites, and Good Wine

Sure, some shops may shut their doors on Bastille Day — but the flavors of Paris don't take a holiday. This food and wine tour through the Marais keeps the party going in the most delicious way possible. It's part history walk, part movable feast, and all very French.

You'll wander the cobblestone lanes of one of Paris's oldest neighborhoods, sampling artisan cheeses, flaky pastries, natural wines, and other edible treasures. Your guide? A local food lover who knows their charcuterie from their confit. Bastille Day in Paris might commemorate a revolution, but in the Marais, it's more of a celebration — one bite at a time.

Wine & Cheese, Paris-Style

Sip Through France's Wine Regions

Let's be honest — you can't talk about Bastille Day celebrations without mentioning wine. France runs on the stuff. And at this guided tasting and lunch, you'll toast the republic in the most French way possible: seated in a historic wine cellar in central Paris, with a glass in one hand and a slice of Comté in the other.

This wine and cheese lunch takes you on a cross-country tour without leaving your chair, with expert insight into France's major wine regions and the stories behind them. Bastille Day in Paris might honor a revolution, but this is how the French have always kept spirits high — literally and figuratively. Santé!

Bastille Day 2025 Events

Bastille Day Celebration Fireworks, 2025

Bastille Day fireworks on the Eiffel Tower, photo by Mark Craft

On July 14, 2025, a spectacular fireworks display will be set off from the Eiffel Tower. The best place to see the display is from the Champ de Mars at the base of the tower or the plaza at Trocadéro across the river. However, you can also watch the fireworks anywhere along the Seine River in either direction from Trocadéro. (Last time we viewed it from the quay along the Seine just downstream from the Bir Hakeim bridge, where we took the photo.)

The festivities start at around 9:00 PM as people gather in the Champ de Mars for an outdoor music concert. The fireworks start at around 11 PM and last about 35 minutes.

Défilé Militaire du 14 Juillet – The Bastille Day Parade

The military parade has been held every July 14 since 1880. (As expected, though, there was no parade during the years of Nazi occupation during World War II.) It's a big deal and the event is broadcast on French television. If you want to get a glimpse of the President of France, or secure a good place to see the parade, make sure to arrive at least an hour before the start time.

Minute-by-minute description of the parade —

• 10:10 am: The President of France arrives at the Arc de Triomphe at Avenue de Friedland to inspect the troops.
• 10:25 am: A tribute is paid to the President of the France.
• 10:30 am: The opening ceremonies
• 10:44 am: The French acrobatic patrol (Patrouille Acrobatique de France) airplanes fly over
• 10:54 am: The foot troops commence
• 11:36 am: The motorized and mounted troops commence
• 11:51 am: The parade officially ends
• 11:55 am: The President departs

Fireman's Ball

The French adore their pompiers (firemen) and for good reason. Each year, on July 13 and 14, from 9 PM to 4 AM, the fire stations of Paris welcome visitors in an open house celebration. There's dancing, drinking and plenty of merriment. It's a very popular event, often with long lines. On 2025 we expect there will be some attention paid to crowd size, so check with your local fire station.

Bastille Day Firemen's Balls in Paris —

• Rousseau Station, 21 rue du Jour, 1st Arrondissement, Metro Les Halles
• Sevigne Station, 7-9 rue de Sevigne, 4th Arrondissement, Metro Saint-Paul
• CCL5 Station, 47-59 rue Monge, 5th Arrondissement, Metro Place Monge
• Colombier Station, 11 rue du Vieux Colombier, 6th Arrondissement, Metro Saint-Sulpice
• Blanche Station, 28 rue Blanche, 9th Arrondissement, Metro Trinité d'Estienne d'Orves
• Chaligny Station, 26 rue de Chaligny, 12th Arrondissement, Metro Reuilly Diderot
• Port-Royal Station, 53-55 boulevard Port-Royal, 13th Arrondissement, Metro Les Gobelins
• Massena Station, 37 boulevard Massena, 13th Arrondissement, Metro Porte d'Ivry
• Grenelle Station, 6 place Violet, 15th Arrondissement, Metro Commerce
• Boursault Station, 27 rue Boursault, 17th Arrondissement, Metro Rome
• Montmartre Station, 12 rue Carpeaux, 18th Arrondissement, Metro Guy Moquet
• Bitche Station, 2 place de Bitche, 19th Arrondissement, Metro Crimee
• Menilmontant Station, 47 rue Saint-Fargeau, 20th Arrondissement, Metro Pelleport

It's A Social Event

The Bastille Day celebrations are another reason for family and friends to gather outdoors for a picnic. If you could peek into one of their picnic baskets you might find strawberries, a baguette or two, cheeses, smoked chicken, pastries, summer fruit, and perhaps a bottle of champagne. Many restaurants feature special Bastille Day menus and the parks are filled with locals playing pétanque.

More About Bastille Day in Paris

Museums & Monuments on Bastille Day

Despite the fact that it's the biggest French holiday of the year many Paris museums and monuments are open on Bastille Day. In fact, the Louvre is not only open on Bastille Day, but admission is free to all! Given the crowds will gathering to see the parade, this might be the best day of the year to visit the Louvre. Also open on Bastille Day are Musée d'Orsay and Chateau de Versailles.

• The Louvre Museum – What To See & How To See It…
• Musée d'Orsay – The Impressionist Gem…
• The Top Ways To Visit Versailles…

What's Open on Bastille Day

The spectacular summer sales at the grands magasins should be be in full swing in July. Unlike other major French holidays, department stores will be open — including Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Le Bon Marché, BHV, Carrousel du Louvre, and Printemps.

Most restaurants will be open but we advise you to make a reservation just to be certain. Most food stores and other similar services will be open. Expect all government offices, banks, and some other museums to be closed.

Transportation

A lot of people will be out celebrating on Bastille Day, so taxis will be impossible to get in the evening along the Seine, the Champs-Elysées, and anywhere around the Eiffel Tower. The Metro and RER will be operating, although stations around the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower will be closed at night — including Passy, Dupleix, Passy, Ecole Militaire, Iéna, Trocadéro, and La Motte-Piquet-Grenelle.

Bastille Day Fun Facts

1.

Although there was a huge party held a year after the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, Le Quatorze Juillet wasn't established as a French national holiday until 1880.

2.

"Bastille" is derived from "Bastide", a French word meaning stronghold. And, in fact, there was a fortress on the site of Place de la Bastille from the 14th century. A later fortress built here was eventually turned into a prison.

3.

When the Bastille prison was stormed in 1789, the mob did not find many prisoners — there were only seven people in captivity. The most famous of those was the Marquis de Sade.

4.

When Louis XVI learned about the attack on the Bastille, he asked, "Is it a revolt?" His minister answered, "No my sovereign, it is a revolution."

5.

The military parade held in Paris on Bastille Day is the largest and oldest such parade in Europe with dozens of horses, 30 helicopters, 50 planes, 200 military vehicles, and 3,500 soldiers.

6.

If you want to sound like a vrai Parisien, don't call it "Bastille Day". Instead, opt for La Fête Nationale or Le Quatorze Juillet.