I just found out that July 14 is Frances independence day... which is right in the middle of our 3 days there. Do any of you happen to know if there are attractions that are still open on that day? Is the eiffel tower still open, or will it be closed for security? Have any of you been there over this day? Are there activities we could try to see for their independence day?
thanks so much for your help!
Jen
French National Day.
Not really Independence Day.
Lots of fireworks.
Nearly 30 years since I saw one so not sure re openings.
Is the eiffel tower still open, or will it be closed for security?
Yes, it's open:
http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/preparing-your-visit/opening-times.html
Do be aware that the tower can and does close for specific security threats, though. Fortunately, this rarely happens but did occur twice during our week in Paris a number of years ago.
the Louvre is not only open but it is free that day (unless July 14 falls on a Monday which is its normal closed day) Most museums and such do not close on July 14 but you can check websites. There is a parade and fly over in the morning, fireworks at night and firemen's balls in each arrondissement the night before usually. It is a fun time to be in Paris.
In fact, the Eiffel Tower closes early on the 14th -- because the fireworks are shot OFF of it that evening. It also closes a bit early the night before.
here's from the Tower's website (this is from 2015, but should be the same this year):
"En raison des festivités, les horaires d’accès de la tour Eiffel sont modifiés les 13 et 14 juillet :
- Lundi 13 juillet : fermeture des caisses à 22h, et fermeture de la Tour à 23h45.
- Mardi 14 juillet : fermeture des caisses à 12h30 et fermeture de la Tour à 14h00.
- Dès le 15 juillet, la tour Eiffel retrouve ses horaires habituels."
"Due to the festivities, the opening hours of the Eiffel Tower are modified on July 13 and 14:
- On July 13: The ticket offices close at 10 pm, and the tower closes at 11:45 pm.
- on July 14: The ticket offices close at 12:30 pm, and the tower closes at 2 pm.
As of July 15, the tower goes back to its regular hours."
Thanks for that, Kim: I stand corrected!
Interesting: I did check the "news" section of the site for that day, before posting, and it didn't mention anything.
But I just ran a test for tickets - even though it's too early - and it appears that they aren't going to sell them (in advance, anyway) for the 14th.
This also turned up on a random search of the site but the "more information" tab when nowhere so figured it was out of date:
"Wednesday, July 13th , closing is advanced to 10.30 pm. Last access to the square 8.30 am.
Thursday, July 14th , closing is advanced to 2.00 pm. Last access to the square 11.30 am"
Paris is THE BEST place to be for 14 Juliet! Dive right in, head towards the area around the Eiffel Tower, and join in on the celebrations! There is nothing more French than this day...you'll really enjoy it!
Kathy, your information was correct -- they don't make it very easy to find! In any event, yes they are open every day of the year -- they just have those couple of pesky early closures!!
(and of course the random strikes or whatever sometimes cause a closure, but that's not foreseeable)
