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Paris on Bastille Day - What to do?

We will be in Paris on Bastille Day and I'm wondering what to do. I've been in France for Bastille Day before but only in the south where we watched fireworks over the harbor.

We're going to the Louvre in the morning - I'm assuming most things except museums will be closed for the celebrations so probably a low key afternoon unless we decide to join the rest of Paris picnicing in the park with a view of the tower.

Obviously the big fireworks show is around the Eiffel Tower and I've looked a bit at Seine river cruises but those that dock under the tower are under strict controls about letting people off and much of the mass transit will be closed in the area as well. I've reviewed a company that docks near Pont Neuf but them make no mention of a specific cruise for Bastille Day so I'm unsure. I've reached out to them and I'll see if I get an answer.

Anyone have insight into places to watch the fireworks from doesn't require posting up hours before or spending a huge amount of money? I'm not against reservations and paying for a good experience but I don't want to pay for bad food in Paris because the cooks are off watching fireworks too.

We're staying near Bastille if that matters.

Merci for any insight,
=Tod

Posted by
2155 posts

The Vedettes de Point Neuf, as Bateaux Mouches, are round trips...no debarking partway through the cruise. Batobus is a hop on and off, but I don't know about Bastille Day. The boats take the same route, just different boarding locations.

Posted by
267 posts

What about just parking yourself on the Champs de Mars (perhaps having a picnic) on
Bastille day? That would be a pretty inexpensive way to see the fireworks. Peter

Posted by
9098 posts

Our most fun Bastille day was when we were staying in an outer arrondissement and went to the local fireman's ball. Some of them are street parties and thus easy to join in with (You get drinks from nearby bars) and usually they are the night before.

Posted by
10830 posts

A picnic on the Champ de Mars on Bastille Day is hard to make happen — given how much is taken over by the set-up for the evening concert and the restricted areas they are using for the fireworks show.

Posted by
4209 posts

I stay near Bastille and have walked to the the boarding site for Vedettes de Pont Neuf in about 35 minutes so you could do that and take the regular cruise that departs at 10:15 PM. Buy your tickets ahead of time. My family did that one year and it was great. We were on the water when the fireworks went off and you could see them quite well. Another option is to walk down Blvd Henri IV to Pont de Sully and see the fireworks from there. It's free and I've never gotten there more than 90 minutes before expected show time. I have not done it in a couple of years so maybe with how crowded Paris can be, you might have to arrive earlier these days.

Posted by
1487 posts

Thanks for all the input!

The cruise site that leaves from under the Eiffel tower has all kinds of caveats because of crowd control in the Eiffel Tower area. This covers both getting off the boat and then getting out of the area because many stations are closed.

The one that launches from Point Neuf has zero mentions of special Bastille day cruises. And it sounds perfect but I was afraid leaving at 10:15 it would circle back to the island just in time for the fireworks to go off. It's been a while so I had forgotten how late the sun would be setting in June but they have it on their website when you book the tickets.

I was thinking of going to the Grand Palais during the afternoon but if we're going to be out until after midnight and walking around after the Louvre in the morning maybe a quiet afternoon is best.

Here's hoping there's a great vibe in the city for the 14th,
=Tod

Posted by
1504 posts

Maybe hang out on Ile aux Cygnes, the island with the Stature of Liberty and watch the fireworks from there. You may luck out and get one of the benches, if not, hang out under the trees along the railing.

Enjoy.