Paris Fireworks on Bastille Day

Perhaps the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower -- if it is open then? Or the top of the Arch de Triomphe? I imagine any location that has a good view of the Eiffel Tower will be crowded. I watched the fireworks from Champs de Mars a couple of years ago, and yes it was a big crowd, but I stood on the edge of it, and everyone near me seemed very nice and really enjoyed the show. At that location you can also hear the music programmed with the fireworks, which is great also. Afterwards, the crowd over-ran the nearby Metro, which the police eventually closed down, and I and hundreds of people had to walk up to the Champs Elysees to get a train -- but no one seemed to mind and it was a fun scene. But if you really don't want to be in a huge crowd, it's not the place to be.

Thanks BG. I did think about the top of Tour Montparnasse, but it appears to close by 11 pm and I could not find anything that says they stay open later on Bastille Day. Maybe we'll get brave and try to edges of the Champ de Mars. We can walk back to our hotel from there, so I'm not concerned about the Metro situation. I appreciate hearing your experience with it - makes it a bit less scary to me!

Barbara, I hope it works out for you and you have fun!

You get a great view of the Eiffel Tower across the Pont d'lena bridge (in front of the tower) to the Left or Right side along the river bank, street level. Plenty of sidewalk along the wall. Also on Pont Alexandra III an Pont de l'Alma bridges.

Hi Barbara! This may or may not help you, but last year we stayed in Montmartre and watched from the steps of the Basilica. It's not a great view of the Eiffel Tower from there because of the trees (unless you get there really early and find a nice spot with a view in between the buildings), but it's still a cool location. Tons of people and you get to see fireworks popping up all over the city.

We once watched it from the balcony of an apartment in the 20th -- but like Montmartre it is really too far away. If you want the real deal you need to get closer. I like the idea of trying the right bank closer in. What you don't want is to be on the metro anywhere near the Champs du Mars -- it gets scary crowded. Only time I have ever been afraid in Paris was when caught in wall to wall people in the metro after an event at the Tower.

Of course you can. Stay at a hotel nearby and watch them from your balcony.

My daughter and I watched the Paris fire works on Bastille Day several years ago. They were incredible and it was an amazing experience. The crowds were beyond enormous and lots of the subway stops are closed. We did not know this in advance and we ended up not too close to the Eiffel tower, and had to walk quite a way as the close subway stops all close. In addition, when it was over it was an absolute zoo, we just kind of followed the crowd and found a subway somewhere and got off somewhere!!! If it were not for my very calm, travel savvy 18 year old daughter it would have been a bit scary. There are also all sorts of balloons, airshows and parades during the day in Paris. If I remember correctly admission to the Louvre was free. We got there early, and it didn't seem much more crowded than usual. If you prepare yourself for huge crowds at the fireworks, you will enjoy it very much. Also the fireworks did not start on time, seemed like they were about an hour late. They are really best watched close to the Eiffel Tower as there are special effects on the tower and music.

Go to the Champs de Mars and have an experience! There is music with the fireworks. I would think that there are many places along the river with excellent views, also. Think about how you and several million people will return to your respective beds. The only caveat: do this if staying nearby but if you have to get across town, prepare to walk home.

The last time we were in Paris for 14 July, we were staying in the Marais. We walked to Sacre Coeur (allowed a directionally challenged friend to lead), climbed the dome and my 4 year old had the brilliant idea of walking to the Arc de Triomphe and climbing that. We took the bus. She then suggested climbing the Eiffel Tower. I explained that it would likely be shut down but we walked to Trocadero. The streets were closed and filling up at 6 pm with revellers. The Métro stations were closed. We bussed back to the apartment exhausted and ended up watching the fireworks on the iPad.

We still laugh about it and it spawned her grand scheme for the Awesome Foursome: climbing Notre Dame, la Tour Eiffel, L'Arc de Triomphe and Sacre Coeur all in the same day. We did it the following March (the gauntlet had been cast) and threw in the Pompidou but consider it a cheat because of the escalators. In her books, the Awesome Foursome is de rigeur for any trip to Paris and includes lunch at the (cheaper) restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. She should comment on aggressive itineraries.

If you are in Paris on 13 July, get tickets to one of the dances held at the fire stations. Tickets are sold on the streets of Paris by firemen in the preceding days or at fire stations. I bought tickets (2€) but didn't go - not wanting to take 4 year old - but It's supposed to be fun!

I would advise packing a picnic and getting a spot early in front of the Ecole Militaire.
Try metro to Segur, Cambronne or St Francois Xavier to avoid heavy crowds.
I have been in Paris once for Bastille Day - 1989, the bicentenary year. Crowds were unbelievable everywhere at events over several days. The fireworks on Champ de Mars however was fine compared to a crush at Place de la Bastille for a concert preceding the Opera inauguration. Ah memories...

Wow! Thank you everyone for the replies, and especially the heads-up about metro stations being jammed or even closed. We are about a 30 minute walk away, so we won't worry about the Metro or on the return try a station away from the Eiffel Tower. You've all made me feel it is worth seeing, even with the crowds. So much fun to read your adventures! We'll do it, and bring a picnic with us! Thanks.

Hi Barbara! My husband and I will be in Paris on Bastille Day as well. We decided to book a dinner cruise that night down the Seine River. I figured it would help avoid the crowds. We load and unload from the Eiffel Tower which is near our hotel. The dinner cruises were highly recommended by my Uncle who lives Geneva and knows Paris well. Thought I would pass on the tip :)

A big thank you and report back to all of you who were so kind to share your thoughts on my Bastille Day question. We ended up with a front row seat (kind of) and no crowds for both the military parade in the morning and the fireworks in the evening! I caught a cold on our trip and between that and the heat wave, we decided to take it easy on July 14. We've never done this on a trip before, but we spent most of the day in our hotel room, and watched the parade, the evening concert and the fireworks on tv. Given the circumstances, it was great! We saw far more of the parade, along with French commentary explaining who everyone was, than we would have if we had been in the crowd. The concert was great, and the fireworks were the best we have ever seen anywhere. Wish we could have seen the fireworks live, but that's just another reason to return! And I learned to call it July 14 or the La Fete Nationale rather than "Bastille Day". Thanks again!