Bastille Day in Paris

It is called Fete Nationale in France. Great fireworks. Parade. all the arrondissements have fireman's balls, some of which are just street parties you can join in with your own drinks. (some the eve before). Museums are open and when we last did this the Louvre was free.

July 14, 2026, will be a Tuesday, which is a day when some museums are regularly closed anyway, such as the Louvre.

Some stores may be closed all day, others only in the afternoon, while some will remain open as usual. There is no blanket rule.

Due to the military parade on the Champs-Élysées, most metro stations around the area will be closed and access to the entire Champs-Élysées zone will be subject to security screenings. In the evening (after 10 p.m.), a traditional fireworks show takes place at the Eiffel Tower (as it does in many French cities). Expect massive crowds in the surrounding areas and closed metro stations.

Balls are hosted all over the place in the evening, notably inside fire stations.

As pointed out by janet, only English speakers refer to this day as "Bastille Day." In France we say "Fête Nationale" (National Holiday), or simply 14 Juillet.

I'll be there too!
10am Be at Champs
1045 flyover
11-12 parade

9pm concert Champs de Mars
11pm -1135 fireworks
jk

I will be there in Paris on the day, made a point of that in planning the trip. and out and about too. The collective feeling is great. Very interesting insight into the culture and all that.

If you don't know already they have changed the date of the fireworks to Monday, July 13th. The Eiffel Tower will be closed that day now to prepare (security etc.) for the fireworks show that night.

Just to add, on July 13th, before the Eiffel Tower fireworks show (which starts at 11 PM), there will be a symphony concert by the Orchestre National de France starting at 9 PM. It’s completely free.

Be aware that the Champ de Mars will likely already be packed by late afternoon.
The traditional Firefighters' Balls (bals des pompiers) take place at local firehouses on either July 13th or 14th.

Is there a map showing these firehouses?

There is no map, but here are the addresses listed by arrondissement: Fire station name (address)

• 1st:Rousseau (21, rue du Jour)

• 4th:Sévigné (7-9, rue de Sévigné)

• 6th:La Monnaie (11, quai de Conti) on the banks of the Seine - & Colombier (11, rue du Vieux Colombier)

• 9th:Blanche (28, rue Blanche)

• 12th:Chaligny (26 rue Chaligny)

• 13th:Port-Royal (53-55, boulevard Port-Royal) & Massena (37, boulevard Masséna) -

• 15th: Grenelle (6, Place Violet)

• 17th: Boursault (27, rue Boursault)

• 18th: Montmartre (12, rue Carpeaux)

• 19ème : Bitc-he (1 Quai de l'Oise)

• 20th: Menilmontant (47, rue Saint-Fargeau)

Thank you...that's great info!