July 14th in Paris: what to see – what to avoid

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July 14th in Paris, the day of the national holiday! It is an event not only for the French.
In the collective mind, it goes back to the French Revolution of 1789, which is false. However, it is quite a symbol. It is the occasion for events in which everyone can participate, even those who are just passing through France, like tourists. Below is a summary of everything that happens in Paris every year on July 13 and especially July 14th in Paris.
This day is a special day to live in Paris for Tourists. A large part of the Parisians are on vacation on the beaches of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic. The others who are still there, in an atmosphere of jubilation and celebration, are trying to take advantage of and organize themselves to avoid traffic jams and traffic bans due to national demonstrations! Join them, they will be delighted.

The storming of the Bastille, the Federation Day and finally the National Day on July 14th in Paris, but a century later

July 14th is generally associated with the storming of the Bastille in 1789. So much so that it is translated into American as “Bastille Day”. In fact, it is July 14, 1790, the day of the Federation Day (1 year after the storming of the Bastille), organized at the instigation of La Fayette, which is officially commemorated in France, but only for a little more than a century. The decision was made by a law promulgated on July 6, 1880, 100 years after the Fête de la Fédération! Many people have forgotten these historical facts and only remember that the National Day of France is July 14th!

Whether the reference is July 14, 1789 or July 14, 1790, the date of July 14 marks the adherence of the Republic to the Rights of Man and the refusal of all despotisms. “The fall of the Bastille is the fall of all Bastilles […], exclaimed Victor Hugo in the Assembly on the eve of the vote of the law in 1880 […]. July 14 marks the end of all slavery, it is the holiday of all nations.”

10 am: the military parade on the Champs Elysees overflown by the planes of the armed forces and the Patrouille de France airplanes

The first event of the day and one of the most spectacular, is the military parade that begins at 10 am to descend the Champs Elysees. It is preceded by the planes of the Patrouille de France and military planes of different sizes that line up in the axis of the avenue that they fly over at low altitude.

The different arms are represented, the choice of the different regiments being related to the military events where the French armies had to intervene during the year. Foreign armed forces are usually invited to participate. The land military parade is always opened by a detachment of the Garde à cheval des Gardes Républicaines.

In 2022, on July 14th in Paris, from 10:00 am to noon, the avenue of Champs-Élysées and the sky of Paris welcomed 6,300 soldiers on foot, 71 planes, 25 helicopters, 221 vehicles and 200 horses of the Republican Guard.

The crowd attending the parade was very large. To have a chance to “enter” the Champs Elysées, you have to arrive very early, well before the departure time of the parade. The number of people present is limited and the terraces of the cafés and restaurants of the Champs Elysees will be closed from 8 am to 2 pm. It is also possible to enjoy the parade from the roof of the Grande Arche de la Défense. For this occasion, special tickets are on sale at 15€ per person.

Moreover, for security reasons, the following metro (and RER) stations are closed from 6:30 am to 2 pm :

• Line 1: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau, Concorde and Tuileries 
• Line 2 : Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
• Line 6 : Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
• Line 8: Concorde 
• Line 9 : Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Line 12 : Concorde 
• Line 13 : Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau
• RER A : Charles de Gaulle-Etoile

In addition to the parade on the Champs-Élysées, the French will have the opportunity to meet the soldiers in the afternoon in various places in Paris: on the esplanade of the Invalides, at the Hôtel de Ville, in the André Citroën park, at the town hall of the 19th district and on the Place de la Nation. On the program of this day: exhibition of military vehicles, demonstration, musical and sports animations, flight simulators… 

Afternoon: places open to the public on July 14 in Paris, National Day

Most of the usual activities are open during the afternoon of July 14th in Paris

Department stores and July 14th in Paris

Printemps
The Printemps Haussmann is considered as the place to be for shopping in the capital. All the brands of the great designers and the tops of the ready to wear are at Printemps
This July 14, 2022, the department store will be open from 11am to 8pm.

Galeries Lafayette
Another great institution on Haussmann Boulevard, Galeries Lafayette attracts a huge crowd throughout the year because of the diversity of prestigious brands presented. Do you feel like shopping on July 14?
This July 14th 2022, Galeries Lafayette will be open from 11am to 8pm.

BHV Marais
The BHV is the favorite spot for do-it-yourselfers in the heart of the capital, but also for trendy fashionistas and lovers of trendy objects for the home.
This July 14, 2022, the BHV will be open from 10am to 7pm.

Le Bon Marché
Women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, accessories, beauty products, delicatessen… Le Bon Marché is a privileged destination for those who are up to date.
On July 14, 2022, Le Bon Marché will be open from 11am to 7pm.

La Samaritaine
An iconic department store that has just reopened its doors! Many brands for the whole family.
This July 14, 2022, La Samaritaine will be open from 10am to 8pm.

The July 14th in Paris Shopping Centers

Le Carrousel du Louvre
The Carrousel du Louvre is open 7 days a week all year round! Food, beauty, leisure, men’s, women’s and children’s fashion, culture, travel… The Carrousel du Louvre will turn the heads of many shoppers!
On July 14, 2022, the Carrousel du Louvre will be open from 10 am to 7 pm.

Le Forum des Halles
Thanks to its position on the metro and RER lines, the Forum des Halles is a real meeting place for all Parisians and people from the suburbs. Dozens of popular brand name stores for the whole family.
On July 14, 2022, the Forum des Halles will be open from 10am to 8pm.

Bercy Village
Very pleasant during the summer, the half-shopping half-nature walk of Bercy Village opens its doors and invites you to discover its fashion, beauty, culture and decoration stores.
This July 14, 2022, Bercy Village will be open from 10am to 8pm.

Le Centre Beaugrenelle
A new generation shopping mall with stores of brands that make the counters go wild like Uniqlo, Desigual or Hollister.
On July 14, 2022, the Beaugrenelle Magnetic B Center will be open from 11am to 8pm / The Beaugrenelle Panoramic B Center will be open from 9:15am to midnight.

Le Centre Italie 2
Familiar and popular, the Italie 2 shopping center (130 stores) is one of the most famous shopping rendez-vous in the south of the capital. To make matters worse, it is easy to get to.
On July 14, 2022, the Italie 2 Center will be open from 10am to 8pm

Saint-Lazare Paris
The Saint-Lazare Station shopping center is a collection of sixty or so fashion, decoration, service, culture, beauty and health stores that are very accessible and open early in the morning.
On July 14, 2022, Saint-Lazare Paris will be open from 10 am to 7 pm

Le Citadium Caumartin
This shopping center extends over several floors. You can find brands like Levis, Kaporal, Sessun, Le Temps des Cerises, Adidas, Pull and Bear and many others. It sells clothing and accessories only.
This July 14, 2022, the Citadium Caumartin will be open from 11am to 7:30pm

Le Palais des Congrès
A complete offer in stores of all kinds, with clothes, decorative objects or accessories, stores of leisure, optical, food… All in a calm and muffled atmosphere.
On July 14, 2022, the Palais des Congrès shopping center will be open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm

Le Marché Saint-Germain-des-Prés
This covered market shelters under its beautiful arcades about twenty traders of food products, but also about twenty stores, mainly of clothes and accessories, of brands which have a foothold on the street. New trends, women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, home decoration, watches, groceries…
On July 14, 2022, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Market will be closed

Passy Plaza
A chic and elegant shopping destination in the west of Paris, a place to shop in peace. Nearly thirty boutiques on the menu, with a family and restaurant focus.
On July 14, 2022, Passy Plaza will be closed

Swimming pools and “Paris Plages” on July 14 in Paris

Some Parisian swimming pools are traditionally open on July 14: Pontoise (5th), Roger Le Gall (12th), Keller (15th), Pailleron (19th), Hermant (19th) and Georges Vallerey (20th). For all those who stay in Paris, it’s an opportunity to refresh themselves, to relax their muscles and above all to taste, for a sunny day, the joys of vacation!

From July 9th (in 2022) until mid-August Paris offers itself an ephemeral seaside resort called “Paris Plages”:

• a part of the banks of the Seine on the right bank, Georges Pompidou way, is transformed with more than 100 deckchairs, about fifty palm trees, misting machines, picnic tables, refreshment bars, ice cream parlors, but also table soccer tournaments, petanque at the foot of the Louis-Philippe bridge, tai chi sessions at the foot of the Pont-Neuf. For the children, giant games are proposed every day on the square of the Hôtel de Ville…  
  On the left bank, the banks of the Seine stretch from the Port de Solférino and the Invalides to the Alexandre III bridge, with dozens of deckchairs, picnic tables, refreshment stands and ice cream parlors. The wood and grass beaches are open every day. 
• the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement offers a 1600 m² swimming area of different depths, surrounded by free beaches created with tons of sand, deckchairs, etc.

The activities and accesses of the riverside lanes are open to the public every day from 10 am to 10 pm. The space of the basin of La Villette is open from Monday to Saturday from 2 pm to 8 pm and on Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. 
The plans specifying the activities between the various sites are indicated below:

• Paris Plages Rives de Seine: https://img-4.linternaute.com/DSCzG7Gt71i1CbKG2GgJfoMo-eQ=/1080x/smart/1ceab154c1ba4dbe93cc7dd6d812857c/ccmcms-linternaute/36264680.jpg
• Paris Plages Bassin de la Villette: https://img-4.linternaute.com/E1pQcdy_mmO-OAhVIykT5nQcY2w=/1080x/smart/ddbdf3ae0a7b483fac81b3bc54b19359/ccmcms-linternaute/36264797.jpg

MUSEUMS on July 14 in Paris:

All municipal museums are closed on July 14th in Paris, unlike national and private museums. Here are the places that are traditionally open:  : Musée du quai Branly, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée Rodin, Musées des Arts Décoratifs, Cité nationale de l’histoire de l’Immigration, Jardin des Plantes et sa ménagerie, Musée en Herbe, Musée Grévin, musée du Luxembourg, Musée Marmottan, Musée Monet, Musée Picasso, Institut du Monde Arabe, Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace. (Aéroport du Bourget).

THE MONUMENTS :

The following monuments are traditionally open on July 14th in Paris: Conciergerie, Panthéon, Arc de Triomphe (open only in the afternoon because of the parade in the morning), Tour Montparnasse, Invalides, Sainte Chapelle.

The tennis courts, parks and gardens will also be open.

LA FÊTE DES TUILERIES July 14th in Paris:

This funfair located in one of the most emblematic districts of Paris, will offer you all summer freshness and good mood. Nearly 60 attractions will be installed to entertain young and old: bumper cars, duck fishing, ghost trains, trampoline, rifle shooting, ice palace, thrill rides … You can also walk around, have fun or simply enjoy a waffle, an ice cream or a candy apple.
All the info here on the Fête des Tuileries 2022

From 3:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.: the July 14 Garden Party at the Champs de course of Longchamps

The hottest Parisian event of the summer will be held on July 14, 2023 for a unique evening combining high-level sport (9 horse races including the Grand Prix de Paris 2023) and electro music until 2 a.m., in the incredible setting of the Paris-Longchamp racecourse (on the western edge of Paris). The 2022 program was the following and will be repeated in 2023:

• 3:30 pm : opening of the gates of the racecourse
• 4:45 pm : start of the first horse race
• 9pm: last possible entries on the racecourse
• 9:35 pm : last race of the day
• 21h45 – 22h45 : 1st DJ set – DOSH
• 10:45pm – 12:00am: DJ set by Robin Schulz
• 00h00 – 01h30 : 3rd DJ set – LEMARQUIS
• 02h00 : closing of the racecourse

JeuXdi by ParisLongchamp is an original concept that combines the relaxation of a trendy Parisian evening with the adrenaline of horse racing at night. Festive afterwork parties to share with friends in an exceptional setting with food garden and musical happenings, feet in the grass … with family or friends of various free animations and many food outlets for all tastes. For the little ones, you will find the famous pony rides and many other surprises! AFTER WORK, LET THE HORSES GO!

How to get to the Hippodrome Paris-Longchamps – 2 route des Tribunes – 75016 PARIS

Subway – Métro

• Line 10 – “Porte d’Auteuil” stop
• Line 1 – “Porte Maillot” stop
• FREE SHUTTLE to the racecourse from Porte d’Auteuil and Porte Maillot (from 3:30 pm to 2 am).

Bus : n° 244 (stop Les Moulins-Camping) – n° 241 (stop Hipodrome de Longchamps) – n° 43 (stop Hippodrome de Longchamps – Served only Saturdays and Sundays)

Tramway : Line T2 – stop “Suresnes Longchamp

Car : Via the Waze application – Enter the address “Parking hippodrome de ParisLongchamp” to go directly to the public parking of the racecourse. It is strongly recommended to reserve your parking space on our online ticketing service (Important: if you have purchased a parking ticket, please print it and present it at the indicated entrance).

• From the north of Paris: Exit “Ring – Périphérique” at Porte Maillot then Allée de Longchamp
• From the south of Paris: Exit at Porte Molitor, take Boulevard d’Auteuil then Boulevard Anatole France
• From the center of Paris: Exit Porte d’Auteuil, take Avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil then Boulevard Anatole France.

Security: On the days of the event, searches may be reinforced. We advise you not to bring backpacks, sports bags, motorcycle helmets, glass bottles or other bulky items which should be left in a deposit box. You may bring a stroller. For security reasons, dogs are not allowed.

9 p.m.: The concerts and the big concert on the Champs de Mars on July 14 in Paris

In the early evening, concerts are given in some places of Paris. But there is only one Grand Concert: the one on the Champ-de-Mars which starts at 9:10 pm, in front of the Eiffel Tower. It is free and without reservation, as a prelude to the fireworks which start at 11 pm, shot from the Eiffel Tower (and the Trocadero) at a few hundred meters.

This great classical music concert is performed by the Orchestre National de France and the Radio France Choir. It is also broadcast live on television on France 2, on the radio on France Inter. and also retransmitted by the European Broadcasting Union in simultaneous on the antennas of more than 20 countries in the world.

The success of the last years is immense with 500 000 people gathered in free access. It is advisable to arrive very early at the Champ-de-Mars (security checks are to be expected at the entrances to the site). Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes in advance for the security checks at the entrances and take into account that all the surrounding metro stations will be closed from 7 pm onwards (walking will be necessary!), which means that the first spectators will already be on site well before this time!

• Line 6 : closed stations: Kléber, Boissière, Passy, Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Dupleix, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Cambronne, Sèvres-Lecourbe 
• Line 8 : Closed stations: La Tour-Maubourg, École Militaire, Invalides, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle
• Line 9 : Stations closed: Trocadéro, Alma-Marceau, Iéna, Rue de la Pompe
• Line 10 : Stations closed: Javel – André Citroën, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Église d’Auteuil, Avenue Émile Zola, Boulogne Pont de Saint-Cloud, Boulogne Jean Jaurès, Chardon Lagache, Charles Michels, Michel-Ange Auteuil, Michel-Ange Molitor, Mirabeau, Porte d’Auteuil, Segur 
• Line 13: closed stations: Invalides, Saint-François-Xavier, Varenne
• RER C: stations closed: Pont de l’Alma, Champ-de-Mars – Eiffel Tower, Avenue du Président Kennedy – Maison de Radio France, Javel, Invalides

How to attend the fireworks of July 14th ?

There are fireworks everywhere in France, almost in every town or village. But of course it is in the big cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille where they are the most spectacular. The fireworks in Paris are the most grandiose, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

If you attend the Grand Concert on the Champs de Mars, you are on the spot to watch the fireworks. On the contrary, if you are far from the Eiffel Tower, forget your car or the bus, and opt for the public transport Métro and RER + walking.

Also note that the fireworks are visible in many places in Paris. For example, several metro stations located on the aerial part of the network are recommended to watch the fireworks. The following metro stations are also a few hundred meters away from the Eiffel Tower as the crow flies:

• line 8 : La Motte-Piquet station
• line 6 : Dupleix, Cambronne stations
• line 10 : Emile Zola, La Motte-Piquet, Ségur stations
• line 13: St-François-Xavier, Varenne stations
• RER: Javel, Invalides and Austerlitz stations

In addition, as far as transportation during the fireworks hours is concerned:

• RATP : Iena, Alma marceau and La tour Maubourg metro stations will be closed permanently on July 14 at 7pm and will not reopen until the next day
• Traffic: Roads located in a very large perimeter around the Trocadero will be closed to traffic at 17:00 on July 14th
• Velib’ : The stations located near the Champ de Mars will be neutralized all day long on July 14th

Attend the fireworks in front of the Eiffel Tower, on a cruise ship?

The fireworks are fired at 11:00 pm from the Eiffel Tower every year on July 14th in Paris. It is a large-scale device that is planned: dozens of technicians, fireworkers, light and sound specialists, put their know-how at the service of a show that is certainly impressive.

All cruise companies operating on the Seine offer a special July 14th fireworks cruise, often with a champagne dinner (click on Cruise on the Seine, choose services, port of embarkation and price). All of them meet between 11pm and 11:30pm just below the Eiffel Tower and cause a nautical traffic jam. The choice is yours, but be careful to make your reservations in advance!

For example, Les Vedettes de Paris: For an unforgettable July 14th, on the water at the foot of the Eiffel Tower! Les Vedettes de Paris offers you to embark on a cruise to discover Paris (about one hour) and then to park in front of the pontoon while waiting for the launch of the fireworks on July 14th.

The other places from where to admire the fireworks of July 14th in Paris

If you are in Paris, there is no need to go in the middle of the crowd of the Champ-de-Mars to enjoy the show. There is a multitude of viewpoints, free access or not, at eye level, while sipping a drink, while dining by candlelight, while sitting on the grass, on the water… There is no shortage of choice.

The Belleville lookout : This lookout is located on the heights of Paris, overlooking the parc de Belleville,, and offers a spectacular view of the capital. In addition to a nice point of view on the fireworks, you will be able to enjoy a general view on the sky of the city.

The South wall of the Invalides: You will have a clear view on the skies of the capital, and maybe even a chance to park your car! If you are on the road, you will be able to see the Eiffel Tower and the fireworks from the roads and highways converging on Paris.

The banks of the Seine: Many spots are available to you on the Parisian banks. Between the Passerelle Debilly, the Pont de l’Iéna, the Port Debilly, or the Quai Branly, make your choice!

The Montparnasse Tower : On the 56th floor, 210 m high from the roof terrace. Attention, a special evening is proposed on July 14th with a panoramic visit and musical entertainment. On this occasion, the access to the panoramic terrace of the Montparnasse Tower closes exceptionally its doors to the public at 6 pm.

The Rooftop of the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile Hotel: The hotel’s panoramic bar on the 43rd floor offers an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Even more magical at night. Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can still go up to the bar!
Other rooftops are also accessible: Novotel Paris Vaugirard Montparnasse, Peninsula Paris, Raphaël, Molitor, the Canopy by Hilton…

La Maison Blanche : This restaurant on avenue Montaigne offers an exceptional view on the Eiffel Tower. So chic!

The rest of the festivities: firemen’s balls and popular balls in every town or village in France

After the fireworks, traditionally a free popular ball is organized by the City Hall or the Firemen, in almost every commune of France, often animated by local amateur bands.

In Paris, every year, a few neighborhood balls are improvised and a good dozen barracks of the Paris fire department organize balls on July 13 and/or 14, from 9 pm to 4 am. The entrance is sometimes paying, at a fixed price or in the form of donations, the money collected is used to improve the social works of the personnel. Note: the photo above was taken at the Montmartre fire station

The traditional firemen’s balls are finally back on July 13 and 14, 2022, following the COVID crisis that made them disappear in previous years:

• Caserne Rousseau (21 Rue du Jour, 75001): July 13
• Barracks Sévigné (7 Rue de Sévigné, 75004): July 13
• Center de secours La Monnaie (11 Quai de Conti, 75006): July 13
• Colombier barracks (11 Rue du Vieux-Colombier, 75006): July 13
• Caserne Blanche (28 Rue Blanche, 75009): July 13
• Caserne Chaligny (26 Rue Chaligny, 75012) : July 13
• Massena barracks (37 Boulevard Masséna, 75013) : July 13
• Barracks Port Royal (55 Boulevard de Port-Royal, 75013) : July 13
• Grenelle barracks (6 Place Violet, 75015) : July 13
• Boursault barracks (27 Rue Boursault, 75017) : July 13
• Montmartre barracks (12 Rue Carpeaux, 75018) : July 14
• Groupement de soutiens et de secours / Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019) : July 13
• Barracks Bitche (2 Place de Bitche, 75019) : July 13
• Ménilmontant barracks (47 Rue Saint-Fargeau, 75020) : July 13

How to get around Paris on July 14

Except for the areas of the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées, which are closed to ground and underground traffic until 2 p.m., Parisian transportation systems will function as they would on a normal holiday or weekend. A protection perimeter will be established by order of the Prefect of Police on July 14, 2022 between 6:30 am and 2 pm. It should be noted that the area, which includes the Champs-Elysées, Concorde and Assemblée Nationale sectors, will be regulated, with access and movement of people being required to submit to visual inspection of luggage and searches, as well as to security checks and vehicle inspections.

Don’t forget that many Parisians are not in Paris but on holidays, which relieves the traffic density during the day.

How to get around on the evening of July 14 in Paris

At 7 pm it is the area of the Champ-de-Mars, Trocadero up to the Invalides which are no longer “passable” except on foot. The traditional fireworks will be fired at 11 pm from the Eiffel Tower. In order to guarantee the smooth running of the national ceremony on July 14, 2023, the Prefecture of Police is putting in place a major security detail to ensure the protection of participants, the smooth running of the ceremony and to anticipate any risk of public order problems.

In the evening, the situation is likely to be even more complicated around the Champ-de-Mars where the classical music concert will take place (9pm), followed by the big fireworks display (11pm). Avoid as much as possible to go there by car or by bus and prefer the subway. Needless to say, cabs, always in short supply, will be hard to find and will have enormous difficulties to circulate in the crowded streets of the festive areas.

As far as the metro (and RER) are concerned, for security reasons, stations or accesses to the RATP and SNCF networks will be closed in the stations and train stations located around the fireworks site. We remind you that the following stations will be closed from 7pm onwards:

• Line 6: Kléber, Boissière, Passy, Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Dupleix, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Cambronne, Sèvres-Lecourbe
• Line 8: La Tour-Maubourg, École Militaire, Invalides, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle
• Line 9 : Trocadero, Alma-Marceau, Iéna, Rue de la Pompe
• Line 10: Javel – André Citroën, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Église d’Auteuil, Avenue Émile Zola, Boulogne Pont de Saint-Cloud, Boulogne Jean Jaurès, Chardon Lagache, Charles Michels, Michel-Ange Auteuil, Michel-Ange Molitor, Mirabeau, Porte d’Auteuil, Segur
• Line 13: Invalides, Saint-François-Xavier, Varenne
• RER C: Pont de l’Alma, Champ-de-Mars – Eiffel Tower, Avenue du Président Kennedy – Maison de Radio France, Javel, Invalides.

How to come back home late during the night of July 14 to 15 in Paris

Cabs are few and expensive. Many rely on public transportation, but it does not run all night. The last metros of all lines will arrive at their terminus at 2:15 am, on the night of July 14th to 15th. On the other hand, some stations and accesses to the metro and RER will be momentarily closed during the day and will not be re-opened until early morning on the 15th. (See above). Don’t forget the “night” buses called “Noctiliens” but they are not very numerous and pass by pre-defined points (Click on Contact the RATP in advance).

SNCF. Transilien. In order to facilitate the return of the travelers from the Champ-de-mars, trains are added on the line C of the RER. They will serve the different branches after the departure of the last usual trains. The spectators will be able to take them from the stations of Javel, Avenue-du-Président-Kennedy and Invalides.