July 14th, France's national holiday (Bastille Day), begins in the morning with the traditional military parade that moves up the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe, broadcast live on television and watched by many Parisian families gathered along the avenue or Rue de Rivoli. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display launched from the Champ-de-Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, visible from much of both banks of the Seine. The evening before, in several of the city's fire stations, the traditional firefighters' ball takes place — a dance open to the public, free or pay-what-you-wish depending on the station — marking the informal start of the festivities.
The Champs-Élysées, stage for the parade
The military parade moves up the avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, in a national-holiday atmosphere followed by large crowds from the morning onward.
Fireworks launched from the Champ-de-Mars
The evening's grand fireworks display, launched at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, is visible from many spots around the city, from the Seine's riverbanks to the Trocadéro.
Tips
For the morning parade, arriving at least an hour before it starts is recommended if you want a good spot along the Champs-Élysées; otherwise, following the event on television before heading to the riverbanks for the fireworks remains the most comfortable option, as many Parisians do. For the evening fireworks, the immediate surroundings of the Champ-de-Mars fill up from the afternoon onward; clearer, less crowded viewpoints can be found along the Seine further upstream or downstream, or from some of the city's hills, such as Montmartre.
