The French national holiday on July 14th is a huge celebratory event in Paris. From morning to night there’s something to see and do. Here’s the lineup for 2015:

Military Parade on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées

• 10am: arrival of the President of the French Republic at Avenue de Friedland. Welcome by Chief of Defence Staff, and the Military Governor of Paris. Review of troops.
• tribute paid to the President of the French Republic. Welcome by the prime minister, the Minister of Defence, and secretary of state for veterans affairs.
• opening event.
• opening fly-past
• parade of troops on foot
• Motorized troops and parade of mounted troops,
•  closing event.
• 12 noon: Departure of the President of the French Republic.

Fireman’s ball in the fire stations
On 13 and 14 July, from 9pm to 4am, fire stations welcome Parisians and tourists. There may be an entrance fee. If not, the traditional ‘barrel’ will be left out for those who wish to make donations.The money collected will be used to improve the working conditions of staff.

Night of 13 to 14 July 2015 (From 9pm to 4am)
• 1° Cie CS CHALIGNY – 26, rue de Chaligny – Paris 12e – Métro Reuilly Diderot
• 3° Cie CS PORT-ROYAL – 53-55, boulevard Port-Royal – Paris 13e – Métro Les Gobelins / RER Port Royal
• 4° Cie CS COLOMBIER – 11, rue du Vieux Colombier – Paris 6e – Métro Saint-Sulpice
• 6° Cie CS GRENELLE – 6, place Violet – Paris 15e – Métro Commerce
• 7° Cie CS BLANCHE – 28, rue Blanche – Paris 9e – Métro Trinité d’Estienne d’Orves
• 8° Cie CS ROUSSEAU – 21, rue du Jour – Paris 1er – Métro Les Halles
• 10° Cie CS BITCHE – Centre de secours et voie publique 2, place de Bitche – Paris 19e – Métro Crimée
• 11° Cie CS SEVIGNE – 7-9, rue de Sévigné – Paris 4e – Métro Saint-Paul
• 12° Cie CS MENILMONTANT – 47, rue Saint-Fargeau – Paris 20e – Métro Pelleport
• 19°Cie / 2° Cie : CS MASSENA – 37, boulevard Masséna – Paris 13e – Métro Porte d’Ivry
• 20° Cie / 9° Cie CS MONTMARTRE – 12, rue Carpeaux – Paris 18e – Métro Guy Moquet
• 20° Cie / 9° Cie CS BOURSAULT – Centre de secours et voie publique, 27, rue Boursault – Paris 17e – Métro Rome
• 29°Cie /CCL 5 – Arènes de Lutèce, 47-59, rue Monge – Paris 5e – Métro Place Monge
Night of 14 to 15 July 2015 (from 9pm to 4am)
• 1° Cie CS CHALIGNY – 26, rue de Chaligny – Paris 12e – Métro Reuilly Diderot
• 3° Cie CS PORT-ROYAL – 53-55, boulevard Port-Royal – Paris 13e – Métro Les Gobelins / RER Port Royal
• 4° Cie CS COLOMBIER – 11, rue du Vieux Colombier – Paris 6e – Métro Saint-Sulpice
• 6° Cie CS GRENELLE – 6, place Violet – Paris 15e – Métro Commerce
• 8° Cie CS ROUSSEAU – 21, rue du Jour – Paris 1er – Métro Les Halles
• 11° Cie CS SEVIGNE – 7-9, rue de Sévigné – Paris 4e – Métro Saint-Paul

Île-de-France greets its soldiers. After the parade on the Champs-Elysées, Paris and towns in the Paris region welcome soldiers

July 14th fireworks
A spectacular fireworks display will be set off from the Eiffel Tower and the ornamental ponds at Trocadéro. The public will be able to view the display from the Champs de Mars and Trocadéro. The firework display will start at around 11pm and will last 35 minutes. Theme for 2015: “Paris accueille le monde”.

The best places to admire the fireworks:
Book a dinner cruise on a boat navigating on the Seine. The perfect place to admire the event far from the crowds.

Bateaux-Mouches
Port de la Conférence , Paris 75008

Boats
District : Champs-Élysées
Metro : Alma – Marceau

Bateaux Parisiens
Port de la Bourdonnais , Paris 75007

Boats
District : Eiffel Tower – Invalides
Metro : Bir-Hakeim – RER : Pont de l’Alma

Other recommendations for the national holiday
Free entry at the Louvre, balls, a free matinee performance at the opera