July 14th: What's happening during France's Fête nationale this year
There are many ways to celebrate, including fireworks displays, traditional parades and the highly popular
bals de pompiers
, where French firefighters host parties in their station houses.
The day is a public holiday and this year falls on a Monday, giving a nice three-day weekend to workers.
Parades
Towns and cities across France hold events on July 14th.
In Paris, the President attends the country's largest military parade, which will be televised. This year, it returns to its usual route along the Champs-Élysées, after moving in 2024 because of preparations for the Olympic Games in Paris.
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The 2025 event will mark two centenaries – that of the Comité de la Flamme, which has been responsible for ensuring the daily rekindling of the Flame of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe since 1925, as well as that of the symbol of national solidarity the Bleuet de France, which was first introduced that same year.
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To open the ceremony, the President will present a new sword to the Flame Committee during an unprecedented ceremony at Place Charles-de-Gaulle, before a moment of reflection at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
At the end of the ceremony, young people from military training camps, cadets, civic service volunteers and the SNU will form a human Bleuet in front of the presidential stand to the strains of an original piece of music called
Le Souffle du Bleuet
.
The event will take place in the morning of Monday, July 14th, from 9.55am, and will run around 12 noon. Some 7,000 people will take part, along with 200 horses and 102 aircraft, according to official figures.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is this year's guest of honour at the event, which also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Franco-Indonesian diplomatic relations.
Concert
A free concert on the Champ de Mars, featuring the Orchestre National de France, the Maîtrise, and the Chœur de Radio France will kick off the evening's celebrations in the capital.
This concert will be broadcast live on France 2 and France Inter, and simultaneously by the EBU-Eurovision in more than 20 countries, making it one of the largest classical music events in the world, with several million viewers.
Fireworks
It's traditional for towns and cities across France to put on fireworks displays on the night itself, or on July 13th. These happen even in quite small towns so check your local mairie's website or Facebook page for details.
It's also worth checking if the event will go ahead if your area is under alert for wildfires.
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As well as the fireworks, a display involving 1,000 drones will light up the night sky above Paris, following the success of last year's Olympic Games-related show.
The display will start around 11pm, from the Bassins du Trocadéro as usual but also, and for the most part, from the Eiffel Tower itself.
Bals de pompiers
French firefighters traditionally open up their stations to visitors around the date of the Fête Nationale, and host the famous
bals des pompiers
(firemen's balls). Check your local press for details.
Many of these events are family-friendly and laid back, but others may get a little more raunchy later on as
les pompiers
show off their famously well-honed physiques to an appreciative audience.
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Closures and operating hours
July 14th is a public holiday in France and, as it falls on a Monday this year, that means a long weekend is in store for many workers.
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Larger chains such as supermarkets, especially in the cities, may be open for part of the day, but may have different or limited opening hours. Bars, cafés, restaurants and tourist attractions should be open as normal.
Banks and government offices, however, will be closed, as will many independent shops plus sites such as leisure centres.
Trains and buses run as normal while city public transport will still run but may have slightly altered opening hours. If you're in Paris note that some Metro stations will be closed along the route of the parade and the concert.
Emergency services operate as normal, most doctors or dentists will close their offices but pharmacies have a rota system called the
pharmacie de garde
, meaning that at least one is open in each area.
Tour de France
Organisers of the iconic cycle race have slightly altered the schedule of rest days this year so that Monday will see racing. On July 14th the cyclists will be tackling the mountainous Puy-de-Dôme area, setting off from Ennezat and finishing at Le Mont Dore.
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7 reasons to watch the Tour de France (even if you have no interest in cycling)✎
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