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This year, Bastille Day looks set to be the perfect occasion for extended celebrations! As 14 July falls on a Tuesday, it’s the ideal chance to treat yourself to a four-day long weekend by taking Monday 13 July off.
To plan your cultural outings as effectively as possible and avoid finding yourself shut out, do bear in mind that many Parisian venues observe their usual weekly closing day on a Monday or Tuesday. Be sure to check our guide to weekly closing days for museums and monuments in Paris to avoid any disappointment. Fortunately, several major sites are making special arrangements for the occasion and will be open on 14 July; discover the full list of these museums and monuments open on 14 July to enhance your itinerary.
The gardens of the Chateau de Versailles are transformed into an enchanting scene. With fountains and intertwining jets of water the ornamental pools and waterfalls create a delightful spectacle. Closed on Mondays, the estate is open on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and offers a great programme of events..
Celebrations take place throughout the French national holiday long weekend. Cultural events, outdoor activities and leisure and entertainment venues for kids and grown-ups … There is so much to see and do in Paris during the long weekend of celebrations.
Find out what’s on offer and put together your own tailor-made Paris programme!
14 July 2026 is a public holiday in France, but the cultural programme is in full swing with some wonderful exhibitions to discover. A non-exhaustive list of current exhibitions.
Why not make the most of the week of the French National Day to explore one of the many open castles in Île-de-France: the Château de Vincennes (11–14 July 2026), the Château de Chantilly (11–13 July 2026), the Château de Rambouillet (11–13 July 2026), the Château de Fontainebleau (11–13 July 2026) or Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle (11–13 July 2026, with a special candlelit evening on Monday 13 July 2026). As 14 July 2026 falls on a Tuesday, the Palace of Versailles is open (closed on Mondays). The famous estate – its palace, the Petit and Grand Trianon, the temporary exhibitions, the park and the gardens – is therefore open to visitors on 11, 12 and 14 July 2026.
There’s a packed programme of things to see and do in Paris over the National Holiday long weekend, from Saturday 11 to Tuesday 14 July 2026!
On the water, with Akwa which hires out electric boats on the Bassin de la Villette and on the Canal de l'Ourcq for a trip with friends, as a couple or with the whole family. Another option, the Bateau plancha for even more conviviality: in the middle of this circular boat is a table around which you can eat as you navigate!
In the air - at an altitude of 150 metres - with the Ballon Generali situated in parc André Citroën. In the Disneyland® Paris parks, the ballon Panoramagique takes you up to a height of 100 metres for a unique panoramic view of the famous theme park, by day or by night (until 11pm). The two balloons operate on 11, 12, 13 and 14 July 2026, depending on the weather.
And for a family outing that's both fun and immersive, you can visit a number of original museums from 11 to July: at the Paradox Museum, kids and adults alike can challenge the laws of perception in a world full of amazing optical illusions. Not far away, the Musée de l’Illusion offers a fun and interactive tour, ideal for quirky selfies and family fun. Finally, Science Expériences situated in Bercy Village takes you on a captivating scientific journey, with workshops and digital devices that make learning fun. More than just museums: these are real exciting adventures to share!
Summer in the land of the Gauls at Parc Astérix, from 11 July 2026 until 30 August 2026. During this period, the park is open every day (13 and 14 July 2026 included) from 10am to 10pm. You can enjoy 50 attractions, including 7 water attractions, a Gaul parade and plenty of entertainment.
For an enchanting experience, Disneyland® Paris also welcomes you on 14 July 2026. Enjoy attractions for all ages, opportunities to meet Disney characters, shows, parades and themed shops. On Tuesday 14 July 2026 from 10.45pm, keep the magic alive with a brand-new evening show dedicated to France, combining a spectacular fireworks display with a blue, white and red drone ballet above Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. An exceptional show packed with nods to Disney and Pixar heroes linked to French culture!
The Jardin d'acclimatation remains open all weekend (14 July 2026 included) for the pleasure of kids and adults. Plus, as part of the Les Beaux Jours en musique festival, a concert by the Ambassadors of Music: California (jazz, gospel, classical) will be held in front of the Fondation Louis Vuitton on 14 July 2026 at 3.30pm, as part of the Year of the United States in France!
Another unmissable summer event in Paris, the Fête des Tuileries will be in full swing during the long weekend, with merry-go-rounds, food stalls and a great family atmosphere right in the middle of the Tuileries Gardens.
Take advantage of the 14 July 2026 long weekend to discover a great programme of events in Paris. Various events take place in some of the capital's most emblematic venues and are sure to provide plenty of excitement.
The European Young Talent Festival will be held at several heritage sites, with concerts on 11 and 14 July 2026, showcasing the next generation of classical musicians.
At La Défense, the Garden Parvis is hosting a fun-filled programme: Shake Hits on 11 July 2026, a chill Sunday and Sunny Sunday Club on 12 July 2026, a mash-up battle on 13 July 2026, and opening from 8am on 14 July 2026 to watch the air show above the district’s towers, in a relaxed and musical atmosphere.
As for ballet, the Paris Opera is staging Vibrations at the Palais Garnier on 12, 13 and 14 July 2026, whilst Rudolf Nureyev’s La Bayadère will be performed on 11, 12 and 14 July 2026 at the Opéra Bastille.
Piano music enthusiasts can enjoy the Festival Chopin à Paris concerts from 11 to 14 July 2026 - candlelit concert on the 13th and closing concert on the 14th - in the charming setting of the orangery in the parc de Bagatelle !
The Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, in the Latin Quarter opposite Notre-Dame de Paris, hosts classical and sacred music concerts in an intimate setting steeped in history. Two events are scheduled over the long weekend: on 11 and 13 July 2026, for a musical and spiritual interlude in the heart of Paris.
Parisian cabarets, the great classics of Parisian nightlife, will also be open during the 14 July 2026 long weekend. A sure bet for an unforgettable evening of glamour, glitter and artistic performance, Show-only or dinner-and-a-show packages are available. The legendary Moulin Rouge in Montmartre and the very sexy Crazy Horse, a few steps from the Champs-Élysées, are open from 11 to 14 July 2026, a perfect opportunity to (re)discover the art of cabaret - in different styles - à la parisienne. As for the Paradis Latin, it’s hosting a gala evening on a boat, offering front-row seats to watch the 13 July fireworks display!
On Tuesday 14 July 2026, the ParisLongchamp racecourse invites you to enjoy an exceptional National Day celebration with your feet in the grass at its famous Garden Party. To mark the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris, the venue will be transformed into a huge open-air party combining sport, a friendly atmosphere and music. The horse racing festivities kick off at 3.30pm, before giving way at 7pm to electro DJ sets featuring a top-class line-up including Tigarah, Paloma, Sam Karlson and headliner Bakermat. From 9pm, the racecourse will also switch to Fan Zone mode with a live broadcast on giant screens of the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, so you can cheer on Les Bleus in the heart of a lush green setting.
To celebrate Bastille Day in a summery, intergenerational atmosphere, head to the Bellevilloise garden at 88 Ménilmontant, from 3pm to 11pm. Organised by Synestezia, this festive and friendly day offers a host of free activities for young and old alike (smart fruit jam sessions, flower crown making, table tennis, massages) in a vintage, leafy setting. Come aperitif time, it’s time to dance to a sunny musical line-up ranging from Da Iguana’s digital cumbia to Organic House and Tribal DJ sets by Dittimusic, Kristofo and Frederika.
Further events are being organised on Monday 13 July 2026, the eve of a public holiday, and on Tuesday 14 July 2026, also for party-goers, at must-visit clubs and venues across Greater Paris:
When summer temperatures soar in Paris, no need to panic! There are plenty of useful tips and unexpected places to go to cool off and make the most of your stay while avoiding the effects of the heatwave.
Check out our top tips for staying cool and enjoying every moment of your visit to the French capital, from fountains to shady parks and the banks of the Seine.
Impossible to miss out on the 14 July 2026 festivities in Paris, the highlight of the summer, celebrated every year throughout the capital. On the programme: a military parade down the Champs-Élysées Avenue, on the morning of 14 July 2026, with a spectacular flypast over Paris that can also be admired from some high spots in Greater Paris such as La Défense, Mont Valérien, the terrace of the château de Saint-Germain... not forgetting some rooftop venues offering breathtaking views !
The very popular and lively Firemen’s Balls, take place on 12, 13 and 14 July 2026 in several fire stations across the city.
⚠️ Due to the heatwave, all 2026 fire brigade balls in Paris and the surrounding area have been cancelled, following a decision by the Police Prefecture.
Due to the commemorative events taking place on 14 July to mark the tenth anniversary of the Nice attack, the traditional City of Paris fireworks display has been brought forward this year to Monday 13 July 2026 from 11pm. This major public event, which can be viewed from the Champ-de-Mars, boasts an unprecedented technological ambition. For this year’s event, the visual and musical spectacle will be punctuated by the extraordinary deployment of 1,600 ultra-light drones (fitted with 360° LED displays and pyrotechnic effects), 600 more than last year. The show lights up the sky through 12 themed scenes, celebrating in particular the River Seine, the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, and the historical ties between Paris and Rome to mark the 70th anniversary of their twinning. The display requires more than 120 firing points (including 80 on the Eiffel Tower itself) and the expertise of 100 technicians and artists.
As night falls at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the grand symphonic concert featuring classical music and opera will kick off the festivities in the spirit of national unity. Conducted by the British conductor Daniel Harding, it will bring together the Orchestre National de France, the Radio France Choir and Children’s Choir, alongside leading international soloists such as cellist Gautier Capuçon and mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. A magical event to experience in person or live from 9pm on France 2 and France Inter.
From 4 July 2026 and throughout the summer, Paris Plages transforms the Seine riverbanks and the Bassin de la Villette into urban beach resorts. Deckchairs under parasols, games for children, sporting and cultural activities, water sports (kayaking, paddle...), as well as shaded areas for reading or picnicking. All free to access, in a summery, festive atmosphere. A must-see, 100% free event during the 14 July 2026 long weekend! To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026, Paris-Plages is decked out in the colours of the United States for this new edition!
Swimming in the Seine returns in 2026! Three areas are open for public bathing, including two close to the centre of Paris. Locals and visitors can enjoy the water (analyzed daily), under the surveillance of a lifeguard, in a unique setting.
The first anniversary of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is fast approaching! To celebrate this anniversary, the Vasque Paris 2024 is back in the jardin des Tuileries. It's the ideal opportunity to discover or rediscover it, until 14 September 2026. Freely accessible, no pre-booking necessary, the cauldron is visible on the ground on 11, 12, 13 and 14 July 2026 on the big round pond before rising (according to weather conditions) into the sky over Paris every evening.
Reopened at the end of 2024, now is the ideal time to (re)discover Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. The visit to the cathedral, which is free (excluding access to the treasury), promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend of 14 July 2026! At the same time, a stroll around Notre-Dame gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the history and surroundings of the site: the banks of the Seine, the Île de la Cité, the narrow medieval streets … A must for kids and adults, in the heart of the historic centre of Paris.
The Army Museum is fully involved in the National Day celebrations. On Tuesday 14 July 2026, from 10am to 6pm, the doors of the Hôtel national des Invalides will be open free of charge to all visitors, regardless of age or nationality. As well as walking through the famous Dome where Napoleon I lies at rest and rediscovering the museum’s rich permanent collections of military history, visitors will be able to explore the museum’s brand-new “American Season”. Marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, this programme pays special tribute to the Marquis de La Fayette’s sword, as well as featuring an open-air exhibition dedicated to the key figures of the Franco-American alliance beneath the arcades of the main courtyard.
As Tuesday is the Louvre Museum’s weekly closing day, it will remain closed on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and will not be offering free entry this year. It will be open at the usual admission rates on 11, 12 and 13 July 2026.
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Calling all fans of spectacular events and public excitement! This year’s National Day celebrations are accompanied by exceptional sporting events in Paris, whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or a football fanatic.
Paris is becoming the global epicentre of competitive video gaming. Over this long weekend, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will be buzzing with the excitement of the opening weeks of the EWC – Esports World Cup Paris. This is a unique opportunity to come and cheer on the world’s best teams as they face off live on the Parisian stages for ‘Week 1’ and ‘Week 2’ of this historic competition. Thrills and an electric atmosphere guaranteed for esports fans.
Even though the competition is taking place across the Atlantic, Paris is beating to the rhythm of the World Cup! To watch the matches on giant screens and share in the collective excitement, head to the capital’s various festive venues. Find all the locations to gather in our guide to fan zones in Paris.
The schedule for the knockout stages promises to be thrilling throughout the long weekend:
While the eyes of the world are on American pitches, the French capital is gearing up to get behind another international tournament that embodies strong values and meaning. During this same summer period, the city is hosting the Unified Football World Cup in Paris. This unique charity event celebrates inclusive sport by bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the pitch, wearing the same kit. A wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity and the spirit of brotherhood, right at the heart of our National Day celebrations!
