Paris on Bastille Day - Tips?
 

Hi,

We'll be in Paris on Bastille Day. I'm thinking of going to Versailles in the morning and coming back for the fireworks at night in Paris. Bad idea? Ideas are welcome!

Thanks!

We were in Paris for Bastille Day on 2005. We actually went to Montmartre that day to avoid the area around the Champs Elyssee and Place de la Concorde. In the evening we had a really good dinner at le Petit Prince de Paris (near the Pantheon) and then planned on going over to watch the fireworks, but got waylaid by a fun street celebration in the Rue Mouffetard, and realised it was too late for the fireworks. But we had great fun anyway!

May I suggest that if you want to picnic on the Champ de Mars you get there quite early (I was told it gets very crowded), otherwise do book a restaurant if you want to eat somewhere nice. Have a good time!

However, the fireworks won't start before 22:45 unless it is extremely cloudy (even though the official time is 22:30). It's just not dark enough before then.

But aren't the fireworks usually the night before? I lived in Cannes for years, and their fireworks were always late evening on the 13th.

No, the fireworks are on the evening of the 14th, and worth seeing. The fireworks light up the Eiffel Tower and are quite spectacular. Be prepared for massive crowds though.

1/In the morning at 10 pm you could attend the military parade on the Champs Elysees ,a truly unique mega-show with the exceptional presence of military from the 27 European Union member states.

2/In the afternoon ,Versailles

3/Back to Eiffel Tower area for the fireworks at around 10 pm.

There is a free performance at the Opéra Garnier and at the Comédie Française on July 14th, but obviously you have to stand in line quite early to get in.