I'll be in Paris for Bastille Day?

Question

What is the best way to celebrate as non-French person? I know there is a parade on Champs Elysees but anything else worth experiencing? Merci!

Answer 1

Aside from the parade, there are the Eiffel Tower fireworks at night. You can see them from various places in Paris, but it's pretty cool to see them from the Champs de Mars, the large grassy area just in front of the Tower. Both French and foreigners come here. If you're with friends, it's awesome to come in the early evening (before 7) to grab a decent spot and have a picnic. The fireworks themselves start late, can't remember when, but you can find out when you get here (I think it was after 10pm). There will be a ton of people, but it's alot of fun and worth doing once.

In each arrondissement, there are the firemen's balls held at the firestation the night of Bastille Day and at some, the night before. It's like a club/dancing scene held in the firehouse, they spin all kinds of music, and the firemen serve as the dj & bartenders. It's free though donations requested (2euro is ok) and goes until about 4-5am. It is open to all ages (I've seen kids and people in their 50s) but it's mostly 20 & 30 somethings. It's mostly French people but you could certainly check it out.

You'll find when you get here that there will be smaller celebrations going on elsewhere in the city. Particularly in lively areas like Montmartre, Bastille (here, a toss up between a party & a riot, we'll see).

Answer 2

Evening Pic Nic - For sure!

Most of the big shops are closed, so why not stop at a kisok (little boutique store) grab some snacks and enjoy a picnic under the Eiffel Tower? You can watch the Bastille celebration fire works (only happens once a year) a big deal ever for us locals.

Paris actually shuts off all the lights on the Eiffel Tower which is an experience in itself!

If you're in Paris the day before go buy some real pic nic treats like champagne and truffle delicacies.

Maison de la Truffe
19 place de la Madeleine, 8e
Transportation Métro: Madeleine or Auber
Phone [phone]

It's an excellent source for foie gras, caviar, black and white truffles, and other high-end foodstuffs. Artfully assembled gift baskets are a house specialty

Have a great trip!


Kind regards, Wendy

Answer 3

Celebrating Bastille Day in Paris is like the 4th of July in the USA. I was in Paris for Bastille Day once and the one thing I remember was that the night before, being on the Champs Elysees was crazy. People were walking around, lighting fire crackers and throwing them under other peoples feet. Crazy, but fun.

Answer 4

Salut monsieur Jelly,
well ge tyour dancing shoes on 'casue there will be lotsa dancing happening. Okay as Paris is THE capital of France there will be lotsa different festivities going on. In the smaller cities THE most typical happening is "le bal musette'; this is a longtime things that has ben going on for ages. The whole village/city gets together on the marketsquare and there is dancing. Now in those places do NOT expect the 'clubscene' oh no - we are talking of good ol' pairclutching dancing....! Usually it is done on the beats of the accordeon (a real typical instreument which is also used a lot in Bavaria Germany). BUT the sound is really french. Of course ther is a lot of winedrinking and let's not forget the fireworks at the end of the day just like it is done in the us for 4th of july.
Now in Paris it is soemthing else, yep there will be the military parade on the Champs elysees in the morning... (okay and due to the heightened security and problems that france is encountering) it just might be a pain to attend as I am sure there will be lotsa security posts to pass. NOt to disencourage you but I ahve seen some riots on those days as well - and it wouldnot surprise me that there might be some trouble here and there as France have jsut elected a new president and not everyone is really happy about the choice. However, I am sure that YES there will be traditional dancing going on (especially aroudn the Tuileries/ park in front of the Louvre) and not to forget in MONTMARTRE. But - not knowing how old you are- more modern stuff will be happening in the area of La Defense and Quartier Latin (left bank).
My suggestion; put on your best walkingshoes/ face the crowd and just let yourself be transported to whereever the mood takes you.
You will have fun I am sure.
So Bonnes Vacances et Bon Sejour a Paris
Salut
Thierry

Answer 5

Bastille Day is the national day of France. If you want to see the parade, the best place is near Madelaine church. But, in the evening, after 10p.m., you can see a gorgeous fireworks near the Eiffel Tower.

Answer 6

Go over to the Left Bank after dark. There's dancing in the streets. Check out a publication you can get at any newsstand called "Cette semaine." It will tell you all the events of the week. Especially attend a "son et lumiere" presentation. There are fireworks at the end. The publication will tell you where and when it takes place.

Answer 7

Though it will be crowded, another good place to go is Montmartre, right in front of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur ("Sacred Heart Basilica"). It's a large white church atop a hill (named Montmartre) that overlooks almost the entire city. You can get a pretty good view of the fireworks from there.

Answer 8

The parade is in the morning, but at night there will have a lot of "fêtes" everywhere. Try Bastille place.

Answer 9

Try the parties with the firemen!!! lots of girls and guys!
It's a tradition in France, each 14th of July the firemen invite everybody to dance!!! it's just crazy there!