14 July in France: activities in 2024
1 July, 2022 | Update: 17/06/2024
July 14th is France’s national holiday. On this ‘Quatorze Juillet’, the whole country celebrates ‘la Fête Nationale’, which is also referred to as Bastille Day! Activities are organised all over France. In this blog, I share an overview of all the activities in 2024 in France’s biggest cities with you. One hint: the French love parades and fireworks.
Celebrate in these large French cities
What is celebrated on July 14th in France?
Before we dive into the activities, here’s a brief history lesson. What do the French actually celebrate on 14 July? The answer: the start of the French Revolution, triggered by the storming of the Bastille in 1789. During this revolution, the people rebelled against the king. This was because the French king Louis XVI held absolute power and lived a life of luxury, while the people lived in poverty. To get weapons and gunpowder, the people infiltrated a number of important buildings, including the Bastille: a prison that held many political prisoners. The liberation of these prisoners counts as the most symbolic moment of the French Revolution. Things did not end so well for the king, however: he was beheaded.
A year later, the storming of the Bastille was celebrated in grand style during the Fête de la Fédération. From that year, July 14th became France’s national holiday, centred around freedom, equality and fraternity (the well-known French phrase ‘Liberté, Égalité and Fraternité’).
The French flag is everywhere on 14 July
What’s happening in Paris on July 14, 2024?
Paris takes centre stage on 14 July, and not surprisingly so. After all, Paris is where the Bastille was stormed. Traditionally, there is a big parade on Avenue de Champs-Élysées every year. Military aircraft fly over the wide avenue, followed by army vehicles, horses and soldiers. The parade runs from Place Charles de Gaulle to Place de la Concorde, where the French president and other important French figures watch the spectacle from the stands.
However, there is a special edition this year, in honour of the Olympics being held in Paris. The parade has therefore been moved to Avenue Foch. Another fun fact, in the context of the Olympics, is that the Olympic flame will stay the night at Paris’ town hall on 14 July.
On the occasion of this national holiday, you can also visit the Louvre Museum completely free of charge on 14 July. Register in advance though, as this is compulsory. Try to be quick, as available tickets are popular. Shops and restaurants will be open as usual on this day.
Keep in mind that the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower are almost inaccessible by car on Bastille Day. The metro does run as normal, although some stations around these busy areas are closed in the evening. So plan your trip well, arrange for a place to stay or camp close to the city.
Fireworks in Paris
The fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower is also a fixed event on this day. While firework shows in other cities are sometimes organised on the evening of 13 July, you watch the fireworks on the evening of 14 July in Paris. The show starts at 11 pm and lasts about half an hour. This year’s theme is freedom. If you want to be assured of a good view, you’d best arrive early. The good seats are often taken by 8.30pm.
Dance at the fire station
On the nights of 13 and 14 July, between 9 pm and 4 am, it is time to party in many Parisian fire stations. While the stations are still operating as usual, many people flock to a ‘bal des pompiers’ (firemen’s ball) to dance and drink. Admission varies from venue to venue. For some you pay admission, while others are free and you can donate whatever you like.
Campsites near Paris
What to do in Marseille on this holiday?
As in Paris, Marseille also hosts a military parade. You can watch it from 9.30 am on Avenue du Prado. And here, too, are fireworks in the evening. The show takes place in Marseille’s Old Port and starts at 10.15 pm. This spectacle lasts about 30 minutes and can also be admired from Jardin du Pharo. Please note that the area around the Old Port is only accessible to pedestrians this evening.
A nice fact is that in Marseille, they pay special attention to sustainability during the festivities. The packaging of the fireworks are completely made of biodegradable materials such as paper, felt and cardboard.
Campsites near Marseille
What is there to do in Lyon?
In Lyon, too, you can view a military parade from 11.30 am at La Place Bellecour. And there is a fireworks show here as well. It starts at 10.40 pm at La Colline de Fourvière. Lyon also has fire station where you can party all night long. Please note that from 8 pm onwards, the quays of the Saône will be closed to traffic.
Campsites near Lyon
Fireworks above the Saône river in Lyon
What to do in Toulouse?
Are you on holiday near the city of Toulouse? There is plenty to do there too on 14 July. The day starts with a military parade through the city centre. In the evening, there are two big events in the city. Firstly, NRJ Radio organises a big concert every year. Popular French artists perform for free at Prairie des Filtres park. The show starts at 18:30. At 10:30 pm, you can enjoy a fireworks show.
The fireworks can be admired from all over the city. If you really want to get a special spot to watch the show, I recommend the bridges Pont Neuf and Pont Saint-Michel, the la Prairie des Filtres park or the Quai de Tounis. Of course, you are not the only one with this viewpoint in mind, so make sure you get there on time. The view is well worth it!
Campsites near Toulouse
What’s going on in Strasbourg?
In the medieval city of Strasbourg, on the border of France and Germany, the activities for La Fête Nationale start as early as 13 July. From 6 pm, a party awaits at the Strasbourg Ouest fire station. An entry ticket costs €5. You must be over 16 years old.
On the bank holiday itself, a parade is organised in La Petite France, the historical part of the city. In the evening, celebrate with the French from 7.30pm at Place Kléber, where a dance party (‘Bal Populaire’) is organised from 7.30 pm to 11.30p m. Strasbourg’s fireworks are launched at Parc de l’Étoile at 10:30 pm. The show lasts about 20 minutes.
Campsites near Strasbourg
What can you do in Nice?
After the tragedy that took place in Nice on 14 July 2016, the national holiday looks slightly different there. On 13 July, fireworks are set off at sunset (around 10.30pm) on Promenade des Anglais.
On 14 July, the 86 victims of the attack in 2016 are remembered. In the morning, flowers will be laid and candles lit at the monument at Villa Masséna. At 4.30 pm, the military parade will start on Promenade des Anglais. At 9 pm, a tribute concert will be held at Albert 1er Gardens. During this evening, 86 rays of light will shine into the sky.
Campsites near Nice
Fireworks in Nice on 13 July
What is there to do in Montpellier?
The programme in Montpellier also includes a fireworks show and a military parade. The parade will take place on 13 July, at 6:30 pm at Place de la Comédie. It will be followed by a march, where children are encouraged to participate, holding a torch. The march starts at 8.50 pm.
On 14 July, there are tons of festivities as well. Before the traditional fireworks are launched, the National Orchestra of Montpellier Occitanie will be giving a concert at the town hall on Place Georges Frêche between 7 pm and 9.30 pm. The fireworks start at 11 pm and can be admired from Parc Charpak. The show lasts about 20 minutes. After this, you can dance the night away in the same park.
Campsites near Montpellier
What can you do in Bordeaux on 14 July 2024?
In Bordeaux, the festivities also start as early as 13 July. From 9.30 pm, there will be a dance party at the Ornano and de la Benauge fire stations. On 14 July too, activities are organised mainly in the evening. From 6.30 to 9.00 pm, there is a military parade on the Quai des Chartrons. From 9.30 pm, there’s a dance party at the town hall, and at 10.45pm you can watch the fireworks over the Garonne.
Campsites near Bordeaux
What can you do in Lille?
The celebrations in Lille start on 13 July. Dance parties are organised in various places in and around the city. From 4.00 pm to 2.00 am, you can show your dance moves in the old quarter of Lille, at place Jacques Louchard.
There is plenty to do on 14 July as well. The day starts at 11 am with a military parade on Boulevard de la Liberté. At 4.00 pm, a concert starts at Saint Sauveur station, and there are fireworks in Lille too, of course. The show starts at 11 pm on the Champ de Mars.
Campsites near Lille
Fireworks in Lille on 14 July
More activities in other French cities
These French celebrations are not limited to the big cities mentioned above. Wherever you are in France, I guarantee that you are going to experience some of the festivities on 14 July. Should you want to skip the big cities, I have some additional tips for you.
In medieval Carcassonne, located in southern France, one of the biggest and most beautiful fireworks shows in France has been organised since 1898. The show can be admired from the famous La Cité castle. That same evening, there is an accordion concert from 6 pm, and a regional orchestra plays from 11pm. Do make sure you arrive in the city no later than late morning or early afternoon if you come by car. This is because later in the day, the city is closed to traffic.
In Cannes, you can watch the fireworks from the bay, from 10 pm onwards. And in Annecy, too, there is plenty to do. From 2.00 to 4.30 pm, there will be all kinds of activities in Les Jardins de l’Europe. Throughout the city, a variety of games and workshops for children are organised from 2 pm to 6p m. From 6 pm on, there is a dance party on the podium du Pâquier, which lasts until around 1 am. At 10 pm, it is also time for fireworks in Annecy!
What can you do at your campsite?
Generally speaking, you are not allowed to set off fireworks yourself, and neither are campsites. Firework shows in France are in fact organised events. Chances are, however, that your campsite does have information about activities in the area. Would you like to experience the French holiday during your holiday? Then ask at your campsite reception!
For a more detailed overview of all 14 July activities in France, visit http://www.evous.fr/. This website is only available in French.
Have you ever been in France on Bastille Day? Share your experience below!
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