A must-see highlight of the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, the fireworks display is the capital’s most eagerly awaited summer event.
For the 2026 edition, please note this major change: the fireworks display will, exceptionally, be launched on Monday 13 July from the Eiffel Tower, with a secure, dedicated public viewing area on the Champ-de-Mars. For those unable to travel to the centre of Paris, the pyrotechnic and technological spectacle will be broadcast live and in full on France 2 and France Inter so that visitors from all over the world can enjoy it.
The year 2026 marks a particularly significant and solemn anniversary in France. We are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Nice attack, which took place on the Promenade des Anglais on 14 July 2016.
In order to fully join in the national tribute paid to the victims of this tragic event and to respect the families’ mourning, the City of Paris has altered the schedule of its festivities. To ensure that Tuesday 14 July 2026 is entirely devoted to remembrance, reflection and solemnity, the City Council has taken the exceptional decision to bring forward the major public celebrations - namely the giant concert and the fireworks display - to the evening of Monday 13 July.
This choice allows for a balance between the necessary celebration of republican values and absolute respect for the duty to remember.
The Paris fireworks display on 13 July 2026 will be accompanied, as it is every year, by a unique artistic creation-both musical and visual-on an exceptional scale. For the first time, the capital’s sky will be lit up by 1,600 ultra-light drones equipped with pyrotechnic effects and 360° LED projectors (that’s 600 more than last year!). The show unfolds across 12 themed scenes designed especially for the occasion, celebrating in particular the River Seine, the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, as well as a striking sequence honouring the 70th anniversary of the historic twinning between Paris and Rome. This technical feat involves more than 100 professionals, 50 motorised projectors and over 120 firing stations, 80 of which are installed directly on the Eiffel Tower.
This public event will be preceded at 9.45pm (access from 8pm) at the foot of the Eiffel Tower by the 14th edition of the Concert de Paris. Dedicated to national unity, this spectacular international symphonic concert is conducted by the British conductor Daniel Harding. It brings together the Orchestre National de France, the Maîtrise and the Radio France Choir, accompanied by some of the world’s leading opera soloists (Gautier Capuçon, Marina Viotti, Jakub Józef Orliński, and others).
For safety reasons and to manage passenger flows, the Paris Police Prefecture is implementing significant traffic restrictions across the public transport network (RATP).
Important notes:
Are you looking for the perfect spot with unobstructed views to enjoy a summer’s evening? With our guide, discover a selection of the most beautiful rooftops in Paris to try out right now! To celebrate France’s National Day, enjoy the unique atmosphere and exceptional panoramic views offered by the capital’s rooftop terraces.
For example, why not treat yourself to a cocktail high above the city, comfortably seated with a view of Paris’s landmarks, to admire the city lights and enjoy a breathtaking view of the festivities and the reflections in the Parisian sky over this long weekend!
See the list of cultural sites that will remain open on 14 July 2026, France’s National Day!
