About this Event
Bastille Day, known in France as La Fête Nationale, is France’s national holiday and a celebration of French culture, liberty and the Republic. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a pivotal event at the beginning of the French Revolution, and became a public holiday in France in 1880. On Wednesday 14 July 2027, Paris and towns and cities across France will celebrate with a grand military parade, music, communal meals, dances, balls and spectacular fireworks.
Date & Time
Bastille Day takes place on Wednesday, 14 July 2027, a national public holiday in France. In Paris, the military parade traditionally takes place in the morning along the Champs-Élysées, with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower after dark, usually around 11:00 pm.
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Venue & Location
The main celebrations in Paris are centred on the Champs-Élysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, and on the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars for the evening fireworks. The parade address is Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France, and the fireworks viewing area is Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris, France.
Staying overnight?
Check the nearest hotel near the venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you plan your visit.
When is Bastille Day 2027?
Bastille Day 2027 is on Wednesday 14 July 2027. It is a national public holiday in France, so schools and most businesses are closed, and post offices and banks are also closed. It is one of the best days of the year to visit Paris, because the city is filled with free public celebrations, from the morning parade to the evening fireworks.
What is Bastille Day, and why is 14 July important in France?
Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, on 14 July 1789. Many people in France associated the Bastille with the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy, and its fall became a pivotal event at the beginning of the French Revolution. A year later, the Fête de la Fédération was held on 14 July 1790, and in 1880 a law made 14 July a public holiday in France for the first time.
What time is the Bastille Day military parade in Paris?
The large military parade in Paris traditionally takes place in the morning of 14 July, usually from around 10:00 am to noon, along the Champs-Élysées. The parade runs from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, with troops, vehicles and a flypast by military aircraft, including the Patrouille de France trailing blue, white and red. Thousands of people line the route, so it is best to arrive early for a good viewing spot, and roads in central Paris are closed for the parade.
Where are the best places to watch the Bastille Day fireworks in Paris?
The most famous fireworks are launched from the Eiffel Tower, with the best free viewing from the Champ de Mars park below the tower and from the Trocadéro Gardens across the Seine. Fireworks traditionally begin at around 11:00 pm and last for about 30 to 35 minutes. For a less crowded experience, many visitors also watch from the banks of the Seine, from bridges, or from a Seine river cruise, while the exact programme for 2027 should be confirmed closer to the date.
Is Bastille Day only celebrated in Paris?
No. Bastille Day is celebrated all over France, with parades, concerts, communal meals, dances, balls and fireworks in villages, towns and cities across the country. Paris hosts the largest celebrations, but smaller towns often offer a more local and traditional experience, with firemen’s balls, village dances and local fireworks. Bastille Day celebrations are also held by French communities and cultural institutes around the world, including in the United States, South Africa and Hungary.
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