Activities in France on 14 July

14 June, 2018 | Update: 06/07/2023

The national holiday in France is on July 14th, Bastille day. On this day in 1789, the Bastille was stormed by citizens of Paris. This event has started the French Revolution. Since 1880 the whole country celebrates ‘quatorze juillet’. The celebration includes fun activities, parties, shows, and above all, lots of fireworks. What’s the best place to go to watch the fireworks? I’ve made a list for you.

Paris

The capital of France is at the centre of all the activities on July 14th. In 1789 the storming of the Bastille took place in this city. This event has been celebrated in the city since 1880. The celebration in Paris starts with a militairy parade on the Camps-Élysées. The parade starts on Place Charles de Gaulle and finishes at Place De La Concorde. If you want to be sure to see all the vehicles, marching soldiers and horses, it is best to take a spot somwhere between Rond Point des Champs-Élysées and Plaxe de la Concorde. The military parade is a recommendation if you’re in Paris on July 14th. Take enough water and sunscreen on warm, sunny days, Nothing is sold alongside the Champs-Élysées during the parade.

During the evening, there is a big classical concert on the Champs-de-Mars, the parc in front of the Eiffeltower. The night finishes with a fantastic fireworksshow with music. The fireworksshow starts at 23.00 h, but i advice you to be a bit earlier at the Champ-de-Mars. The parc starts to get busy around 21.00 h.  The show lasts for about thirty minutes. Afterwards there are many parties in Paris, for instance at several firehalls.

Be aware: many museums in Paris are closed on July 14th, however, the Louvre is still open. This year (2023) the Louvre is actually free to visit on July 14th).

Take note: many museums are closed in Paris on 14 July, the Louvre is open however.

Campsites near Paris (max. 2 hours’ drive)

Montpellier

During the day, you could watch the militairy parade in the city. During the evening, there are performances throughout the city with great music and plenty of opportunities for dancing. For children there is a torchlight parade. At 23.00h there is a firework show at the Park Georges Charpak after which you can carry on dancing until the early hours.

Campsites near Montpellier (max. 2 hours’ drive)

Lyon

In Lyon, the military parade starts at 11.00h on la Place Bellecour. At 21.00h you can dance on the banks of the river Saône between the Bonaparte bridge and the Bridge Maréchal-Juin. On the hill of Fourvière at the basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière fireworks are lit during the night. The fireworkshow lasts fora bout 25 minutes. Campsites near Lyon (max. 2 hours’ drive)

The prettiest fireworks in France

There are celebrations throughout the country. The events that I’ve mentionted before are just a
a small selection of the many activities and parties held on this day. You can see fabulous firework shows across the whole country on July 14th. Some are just a bit more spectacular than others. The most spectacular fireworks are shown at:

• Cannes: This city is known for its firework festival that takes place every summer. This year again, on  July 14, you will be able to see a spectacular firework show in the bay of Cannes.
• Carcassonne: With a view of the beautiful fort, the firework show in Carcassonne is shown off to the full. The show starts at 22.00h and lasts for about half an hour.
• Annecy: The fireworks marks the end of the evening in Annecy. The fireworks come with lots of music. The reflection of the fireworks on the water make it an amazing sight to behold.

Campsites near these three cities

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