Spectacular! What are the best spots to see it?
No 14th of July without the traditional fireworks from the Champs de Mars
The fireworks on July 14: an unmissable ritual
The fireworks on July 14 is the unmissable, spectacular and flamboyant ritual that closes the July 14 festivities in style. As every year, it is fired around 11 p.m., after the big lyrical concert, from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero gardens. The theme of the fireworks display on July 14, 2019 is “The Federations”. The duration of this great fireworks show is 35 minutes.
The best spots to admire the fireworks
The fireworks on July 14 is of course a family event that appeals to everyone. The main difficulty is finding a place to see it without spending a fortune.
One of the best solutions with children is to arrive at the beginning of the afternoon on the Champ de Mars. You can sit there with everything you need for a picnic, attend the 9 p.m. concert and then admire the fireworks. The only constraint is to arrive very early.
Many of Paris’ bridges offer stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and the fireworks. These are good spots to admire the fireworks on July 14th. From the Pont des Arts, the Pont de la Concorde, or the Alexandre III bridge, you will have a magnificent view of the fireworks. But, as with the Champ de Mars, you should plan to come early, from the afternoon to be sure to be well installed.
Another solution to see the fireworks is to look for the high places in Paris! You will see it, certainly from afar, but for free and perhaps with fewer crowds, from the Montmartre hill or the Belleville garden, for example.
A very nice formula to admire the fireworks on the occasion of an exceptional evening, is to treat yourself to the special 14th of July cruise of the Bateaux Parisiens. Sit-down dinner on board or Box gourmande, it’s expensive but unforgettable.
The Bateaux-Mouches are unfortunately not operating this summer 2021. Normally, they are one of the few boat companies on the Seine to be able to sail on July 14 during the day and in the evening. For departures from 9:30 p.m., the route is modified, because around 10 p.m. a navigation stop prohibits passing beyond the Pont de l’Alma. Nevertheless, with these last departures, you are well placed to see the fireworks as the boats return to the Port de la Conférence. Guests on board can see the fireworks either from the boat or from the dock if they have already disembarked.
The Montparnasse Tower Observatory is organizing a special evening for July 14. The view from the panoramic terrace is breathtaking. But in addition to the crowd, it costs about 50 euros per person for the evening.
Safety measures during the July 14 festivities
Access to the Champ-de-Mars is open to the general public, but there is a filter at the entrance to the streets and squares that allow access to the Champ de Mars. The following streets and squares will be closed to traffic: Place des Martyrs Juifs du vélodrome d’hiver, Quai Branly, Pont d’Iéna, Place de la Résistance, Quai Branly, Avenue de la Bourdonnais, Place de l’École Militaire, Place Joffre, Avenue de la Motte-Picquet to Boulevard de Grenelle, Avenue de Suffren.
