Bastille Day
Bastille Day
4.5
About
The Bastille Day is the 14th of July. It is the French National Day and can be celebrated all over France. The Grand Parade can be seen in Paris : France Police, Air Force, Navy and Army parade on the famous Champs-Elysées Avenue. And the climax is a great fireworks display in the evening, at the Eiffel Tower.
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Neighborhood: Champs-Élysées
This area is characterized by its namesake avenue which extends northwest from the Louvre to the modern business district, punctuated by the iconic Arc de Triomphe. Grand embassies stand among impressive offices and presidential palaces; architecture from 19th century Universal Exhibitions, homes, art galleries, and 19th century streets designed by Baron Haussmann flank haute-couture boutiques. This neighborhood never rests, buzzing with visitors from around the world at all times of day and night, all within a stone's throw of the Seine.
How to get there
- Alma – Marceau • 5 min walk
- George V • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Brian J
Adelaide, Australia1,326 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We arrived at the Parade just after 10 am the parade starts at 10 am we were lucky we found a good spot so we seen the hold parade, it started with a flyover with the first jets which had the smoke stream of the blue,white & red of France followed by around 60 to 70 all types of aircraft & helicopters. Then the parade started with the Army ,Navy Air force, Fire brigade,Police & Special forces it went for about one & a half hours. Then later that night we watched the best fire works display we have ever seen all done from the Eiffel Tower. Absolutely Brilliant
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryTheExplorer
San Rafael, CA86 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
All Paris is 'en fete' on their independence day - July 14. There is a massive show of force in the area near the Eiffel Tower with many military vehicles and men in uniform just waiting to show them to you. The parade along the Champs Elysee is stunning. Jets from Great Britain and France soar overhead in precision maneuvers. Queen Elizabeth was in attendance as were the Coldstream Guards. The French Cavaliers in full dress uniform (vintage imperial-style helmets, gold braid, epaulets, etc.) were highly visible riding horseback along the parade route. The piece de resistance, however, was dancing and music that evening in the Place de la Bastille. Poignant to see local residents dancing with old-style french moves in traditional attire, to the sweet and slightly melancholy cabaret music. Visit at nightfall and savor the neighborhood clubs and small restaurants.
Written June 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
576aly
Bethesda, MD45 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Only called Bastille Fay by foreigners, le Quatorze de Juillet is a daylong extravaganza. While the late morning parade is ok and the flyover is great, night on the Champs de Mars is magical. A two hour concert of opera and show tunes with the Riiffel Tower behind, followed by one of the most spectacular fireworks shows you will ever see, with patriotic, rock and other music, and a light show of dancing shadow figures at the base of the Tower. And you’re there with a million others, which is exciting, but sometimes annoying.
A great day to be in Paris!
A great day to be in Paris!
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoffrey W
Bairnsdale2 contributions
Jul 2022
I’d wanted to go to the 14th July parade for many years but found it very hard to get accurate information about the best place to stand and what time to be on the Champs-Elysees to snare a good viewing spot. I finally made it in 2022 and so I offer these tips in the hope that they might help others.
Firstly, it is important to note that many websites and travel books provide very inaccurate information by stating that the parade goes from the Arc de Triomph to the Place Concorde and suggesting you can stand just about anywhere along the Champs-Elysees and see everything. Because the parade is so long the head of the marching column actually forms up far along the Champs-Elysees next to the Grand Palais. So, unless you are well down to the eastern end of the avenue you will miss a section of the parade. In addition, because of its slower marching pace, the French Foreign Legion and its band – one of the highlights – only marches the very end section (it emerges from between the Grand Palais and the Petite Palais to hook onto the rear of the infantry column). The problem is that this end section (Petite Palais to Place Concorde) is where the small grandstands/bleachers are placed and, as far as I can tell, access is restricted to ticket-holders (although I never got to check out what the deal is with access to this seating – see below).
In addition a lot of the action is “off-limits” to ordinary spectators. The pre-parade “overture” marching display (in 2022 by the French Navy’s bagpipe band) is purely for the President and the hob-nobs in the Place Concorde. Likewise, the post-parade “finale”, consisting of a band and choir performance that culminates in an OTT multi-verse rendition of La Marseillaises.
So, what time do you need to arrive to get a good view of the section of the parade that you can hope to see? I arrived at 6.30am at the spot that I thought would be as far down the Champs-Elysees as possible for the general public to access – the corner of the Avenue de Marigny, diagonally opposite the Grand Palais. The front row was already filled at this time but standing in the second line was still OK. However, shortly after 7am the thuggish French police arrived en masse and cleared everyone out of the area without apparent explanation and moved everyone westwards into the next section of the Champs-Elysees. There weren’t many people there already so it was easy to get a front row spot more of less opposite the Grand Palais – i.e. basically where the head of the parade was forming up – so all looked good and everyone settled down to wait.
Then at about 7.30am the police arrived again and this time pushed everyone even farther up the Champs-Elysees and into a side street (Avenue Matignon) where everyone was trapped in a very crowded holding pen. Things were getting quite ugly with no-one knowing what was going on until after about 30 minutes the police finally found a loud-speaker and gave an explanation – i.e. that people would be allowed back onto the Champs-Elysees once security check-points were set up.
These check-points proved to be totally farcical. Two police gave a very quick scan of any bags that people had (most people sensibly hadn’t brought bags). A single police guy then waved a ‘magic wand’ scanner over each person. As almost everyone had something – a phone, a camera, keys, etc, - that set off the scanner it was totally impossible to search everyone.
“C’est ridicule” said the guy with the scanner to his boss – about the only sensible thing I heard the Keystone Cops say all day. Then everyone’s bags were checked again – as equally useless as the first time.
Eventually I made it back on to the Champs-Elysees at about 8.30am and was just about able to get a front-row position but now well up the avenue from the head of the infantry column (i.e. the invited foreign troops) and way too far to have any chance of seeing the Legion but still OK to see the military academy contingents (which form up just west of Avenue Matignon) and the remainder of the parade. About 5 rows of people filled up pretty quickly and then seemed to stop so I presume the police enforced a limit on the numbers allowed in this section. (I’m guessing that similar limits are placed on the section from Avenue Matignon to the Arc but can’t be sure.)
Having finally got a place to stand it is then a long wait until there is any real action. Be aware that there is no easy access to toilets or drinks (it wasn’t clear in the chaotic security checks as to whether people were allowed to bring in drink bottles or not but I think probably not).
It is not until just after 10am that the President travels the length of the Champs-Elysees in a jeep accompanied by the Republican Guard cavalry. (If you can only get a place along the western end of the Champs-Elysees then make sure that you are on the northern side or else the troops lining the side of the road will block your view of this bit). The “overture” then takes place in Place Concorde. The air flyover starts at about 10.40am and the infantry parade finally commences at about 10.50am. The mechanised parade rolls by at about 11.50am followed by the Republican Guard cavalry again at about noon, which marks the end of the actual parade.
The key question for a lot of people will be: is it all worth the effort? As you will have gathered, I’m a big fan of parades and had always wanted to see this one. But, to be honest, I have to answer NO.
The parade is certainly impressive in its scale – it takes an hour for the infantry alone to march past, plus the mechanised section, two passes of the cavalry and the air flyover. However, on the whole I wouldn’t say it was as spectacular as the British equivalents (such as Trooping the Colour or Beating the Retreats) which are much easier to attend, especially the rehearsals. In addition, there was only one band marching in the main parade in 2022 (the French Marines) with the music otherwise coming via loudspeakers from a static band at the saluting stand which renders the atmosphere a bit flat.
However, if you are really keen to see everything you can overcome some of the limitations by going to rehearsals which are held from roughly the 9th to 12th July starting at 5.30am. (There is also a cavalry rehearsal which takes place at night on about the 9th). I went to the final two on 11th and 12th where you can see practice sessions for the “overture”, part of the infantry parade (although not in full dress uniform) and the “finale”. Not surprisingly at that time in the morning, there are very few people around and security is minimal so I could stand basically where Macron took the salute at the Thursday parade and see the bits that otherwise I would have missed.
If you also want to make certain of seeing the French Foreign Legion you can go to the special parade that is held for the French Senate on 13th July starting at 10.45am in the Luxembourg Gardens. Likewise, there is not much of a crowd so it is easy to get a good view, plus you can wander through while the band and the Pioneer unit are getting into their dress-uniforms beforehand which is interesting (and quite amusing watching all these tough legionaires lend their supposedly sacred kepis blanc to pretty girls who want ‘selfies’ with them).
Firstly, it is important to note that many websites and travel books provide very inaccurate information by stating that the parade goes from the Arc de Triomph to the Place Concorde and suggesting you can stand just about anywhere along the Champs-Elysees and see everything. Because the parade is so long the head of the marching column actually forms up far along the Champs-Elysees next to the Grand Palais. So, unless you are well down to the eastern end of the avenue you will miss a section of the parade. In addition, because of its slower marching pace, the French Foreign Legion and its band – one of the highlights – only marches the very end section (it emerges from between the Grand Palais and the Petite Palais to hook onto the rear of the infantry column). The problem is that this end section (Petite Palais to Place Concorde) is where the small grandstands/bleachers are placed and, as far as I can tell, access is restricted to ticket-holders (although I never got to check out what the deal is with access to this seating – see below).
In addition a lot of the action is “off-limits” to ordinary spectators. The pre-parade “overture” marching display (in 2022 by the French Navy’s bagpipe band) is purely for the President and the hob-nobs in the Place Concorde. Likewise, the post-parade “finale”, consisting of a band and choir performance that culminates in an OTT multi-verse rendition of La Marseillaises.
So, what time do you need to arrive to get a good view of the section of the parade that you can hope to see? I arrived at 6.30am at the spot that I thought would be as far down the Champs-Elysees as possible for the general public to access – the corner of the Avenue de Marigny, diagonally opposite the Grand Palais. The front row was already filled at this time but standing in the second line was still OK. However, shortly after 7am the thuggish French police arrived en masse and cleared everyone out of the area without apparent explanation and moved everyone westwards into the next section of the Champs-Elysees. There weren’t many people there already so it was easy to get a front row spot more of less opposite the Grand Palais – i.e. basically where the head of the parade was forming up – so all looked good and everyone settled down to wait.
Then at about 7.30am the police arrived again and this time pushed everyone even farther up the Champs-Elysees and into a side street (Avenue Matignon) where everyone was trapped in a very crowded holding pen. Things were getting quite ugly with no-one knowing what was going on until after about 30 minutes the police finally found a loud-speaker and gave an explanation – i.e. that people would be allowed back onto the Champs-Elysees once security check-points were set up.
These check-points proved to be totally farcical. Two police gave a very quick scan of any bags that people had (most people sensibly hadn’t brought bags). A single police guy then waved a ‘magic wand’ scanner over each person. As almost everyone had something – a phone, a camera, keys, etc, - that set off the scanner it was totally impossible to search everyone.
“C’est ridicule” said the guy with the scanner to his boss – about the only sensible thing I heard the Keystone Cops say all day. Then everyone’s bags were checked again – as equally useless as the first time.
Eventually I made it back on to the Champs-Elysees at about 8.30am and was just about able to get a front-row position but now well up the avenue from the head of the infantry column (i.e. the invited foreign troops) and way too far to have any chance of seeing the Legion but still OK to see the military academy contingents (which form up just west of Avenue Matignon) and the remainder of the parade. About 5 rows of people filled up pretty quickly and then seemed to stop so I presume the police enforced a limit on the numbers allowed in this section. (I’m guessing that similar limits are placed on the section from Avenue Matignon to the Arc but can’t be sure.)
Having finally got a place to stand it is then a long wait until there is any real action. Be aware that there is no easy access to toilets or drinks (it wasn’t clear in the chaotic security checks as to whether people were allowed to bring in drink bottles or not but I think probably not).
It is not until just after 10am that the President travels the length of the Champs-Elysees in a jeep accompanied by the Republican Guard cavalry. (If you can only get a place along the western end of the Champs-Elysees then make sure that you are on the northern side or else the troops lining the side of the road will block your view of this bit). The “overture” then takes place in Place Concorde. The air flyover starts at about 10.40am and the infantry parade finally commences at about 10.50am. The mechanised parade rolls by at about 11.50am followed by the Republican Guard cavalry again at about noon, which marks the end of the actual parade.
The key question for a lot of people will be: is it all worth the effort? As you will have gathered, I’m a big fan of parades and had always wanted to see this one. But, to be honest, I have to answer NO.
The parade is certainly impressive in its scale – it takes an hour for the infantry alone to march past, plus the mechanised section, two passes of the cavalry and the air flyover. However, on the whole I wouldn’t say it was as spectacular as the British equivalents (such as Trooping the Colour or Beating the Retreats) which are much easier to attend, especially the rehearsals. In addition, there was only one band marching in the main parade in 2022 (the French Marines) with the music otherwise coming via loudspeakers from a static band at the saluting stand which renders the atmosphere a bit flat.
However, if you are really keen to see everything you can overcome some of the limitations by going to rehearsals which are held from roughly the 9th to 12th July starting at 5.30am. (There is also a cavalry rehearsal which takes place at night on about the 9th). I went to the final two on 11th and 12th where you can see practice sessions for the “overture”, part of the infantry parade (although not in full dress uniform) and the “finale”. Not surprisingly at that time in the morning, there are very few people around and security is minimal so I could stand basically where Macron took the salute at the Thursday parade and see the bits that otherwise I would have missed.
If you also want to make certain of seeing the French Foreign Legion you can go to the special parade that is held for the French Senate on 13th July starting at 10.45am in the Luxembourg Gardens. Likewise, there is not much of a crowd so it is easy to get a good view, plus you can wander through while the band and the Pioneer unit are getting into their dress-uniforms beforehand which is interesting (and quite amusing watching all these tough legionaires lend their supposedly sacred kepis blanc to pretty girls who want ‘selfies’ with them).
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bridgeth52
santa ana,california72 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We were lucky enough to find ourselves in Paris on Bastille day this July.We headed over to the Champs du Mars about 5 p.m.We found it completely covered with people already, and the fireworks were scheduled to start at 11 p.m.We found a spot around 6 and sat and waited. Believe it or not...the French managed to cram about twice as many people in all the empty spots! There was a classical music concert that ran about 2 hours before the fireworks began.sound system was fantastic....security was good and no issues at all.
The fireworks were undoubtedly the best I have ever seen,and I was a Disneyland employee for 20 years and saw LOTS of fireworks. The light show on the Eiffel Tower was also impressive. All in all it actually was worth waiting for!
The fireworks were undoubtedly the best I have ever seen,and I was a Disneyland employee for 20 years and saw LOTS of fireworks. The light show on the Eiffel Tower was also impressive. All in all it actually was worth waiting for!
Written July 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BandwagonPa
Lancaster, PA543 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Fireworks over Effiel tower were spectacular; the parade was a snoozer with mostly obstructed views and a gigantic walk to reach the parade route with limited metro stops and long walking detours (flyovers look same on youtube). Louvre museum insanely crowded at noon but walk in at 4 pm.
Written May 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateyOB
Chicago, IL158 contributions
Jul 2018
One of the most amazing things I have ever seen! The very best viewing is on the Champs de Mars. There you can take in the entire ET. If you are there between 5 - 6 pm you will be able to get a good seat. The fireworks do no start until 11:00 pm because the sunsets after 10:00 pm. You will need to take the following: Water!!! A blanket or something to sit on. Food and wine are also a good idea. Do not count on being able to purchase any food or water inside the venue. Be prepared to walk. Everything will be blocked off in the entire area. The closest you will get by taxi is the end of the bridge. You will need to go through a security check point. By 8 pm it starts getting really crowded! There will be no transportation afterward, and you will not find a taxi until you are quite far away. Everything will remain blocked off, so prepare to walk. It IS worth it!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judi W
37 contributions
Jul 2018 • Business
The fireworks were fantastic. There is just a sea of humanity, on the Metro, at the Champs de Mars. I sat by the Ecole militaire, where there are police behind me and an open Metro line.National Symphony provided music, audible from that area. One bathroom- no extra toilets!! If you watch the fireworks, be prepared:
a) go to Google maps to hunt out your view. Take the little gold man at the bottom right and drag and drop him on your spot to see if it is good.
b) You can have a picnic, but there is a bathroom issue. I just ate ahead and brought a 2 ounce travel bottle of water
c) bring a blanket, piece of plastic or towel to mark out your space. People will wedge in at the last minute. I got there at 830 and the metro was already packed. I left 5 minutes early, avoided the crowd at the end.
d) Check online for closed Metro lines.
e) at the back of the Champs de mars by the ecole militaire we had to stand. Keep that in mind if you have small children.
a) go to Google maps to hunt out your view. Take the little gold man at the bottom right and drag and drop him on your spot to see if it is good.
b) You can have a picnic, but there is a bathroom issue. I just ate ahead and brought a 2 ounce travel bottle of water
c) bring a blanket, piece of plastic or towel to mark out your space. People will wedge in at the last minute. I got there at 830 and the metro was already packed. I left 5 minutes early, avoided the crowd at the end.
d) Check online for closed Metro lines.
e) at the back of the Champs de mars by the ecole militaire we had to stand. Keep that in mind if you have small children.
Written July 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rayrest
Fenton, UK7,984 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The Bastille day is the 14th of July and is celebrated all over France. There is a grand parade in Paris that finishes with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower on Bastille day.
Written April 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lattejr
Los Angeles, CA107 contributions
Jul 2017
We arrived at 9 and he parade starts at 10. The crowd is layers and layers of people thick-like the floor of the Rose Bowl at a One Direction concert.The journey there was a walk from the Marais with multiple detours. You CANNOT take the metro, nor walk through the Tuileries nor any of the regular routes of travel. The security is as restrictive as possible. The detours take you to the left bank and back again a few times.
The parade itself is spectacular, but better to view it from the room of a hotel building so you can actually see what is happening, or carry a step stool with you.
The parade itself is spectacular, but better to view it from the room of a hotel building so you can actually see what is happening, or carry a step stool with you.
Written January 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ponshai v
Maastricht, The Netherlands
HI everybody
Is the bastille day cancalled this year 2020 (coronavirus)?
Written April 27, 2020
What is the best time to arrive for the Bastille Day military parade in order to secure a good spot. We are staying near the Arc de Triumph.
Written July 13, 2019
We are leaving on bastille day from Gare de Lyon in the afternoon to get to cdg should we expect delays and closed roads?
Would rer be faster or taxi?
1:30 flight
& a 6:16 flight back to US
Written July 13, 2019
Where is the best place to hear the music and see the fireworks on 14 July 2019?
Written July 10, 2019
Champ de Mars! I watched it from a rooftop last year and you really did not get the real effect, going back this year to the Champs with the crowds....there are several fireworks from the bottom up, so if you are far away, you can't see them all. But still awesome! Google it as there are about 10 other suggestions, but many trees in the way and you won't see the fireworks from the bottom.
Written July 13, 2019
Hi, we are staying at the Paris Marriott along the Champs-Elysees and have tickets to the Eiffel tower at 12:30 PM on the 14th. How long will it take for us to navigate the crowds and walk to the Eiffel to catch our 12:30 tour?
Written June 19, 2019
Hi - we are a family with two 9 year olds staying in Ile St Louis on 14 July. We arrive late afternoon, and was hoping to be able to walk somewhere close to the isles to watch the fireworks. Any recommendations on where we should go?
Written March 9, 2019
I will be staying in Le Marais during Bastille day. I want to see the fireworks but want to stay close to Le Marais maybe a bridge or rooftop. Any suggestions???
Written April 26, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
My son is taking me to Paris on my birthday! Which good or bad happens to also be Bastille Day! I've always had this dream of being in Paris on my birthday. Anyway the obvious question where, beside the obvious, can we go and not be 15 deep in a crowd but still see parade and later fireworks? Thank you
Written April 22, 2018
Do you need tickets or reservations to get into the fireman's ball on Bastille day?
Written March 12, 2018
I visit Paris for the first time in July and I will be there for Bastille Day. Other than the parade and fireworks what else can I expect on Bastille Day? I really want an authentic Parisian experience.
Written June 20, 2017
lots of crowds!!
The Arc du Triopmhe is worth visitng too... it will be busy - they hang a HUGE flag from the Arc and there is a great atmosphere all along the Champs Elysee after the parade ends - as with any day, the cafes are authentic Parisien experience.
Written June 20, 2017
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