Despite the uncertain weather forecast for this Thursday, July 14, 2016, I am still sharing my little Parisian selection so you can fully enjoy this holiday week.
Firemen’s balls, fireworks, garden parties, shows, ballet… There’s a way for everyone to celebrate the National Day!
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Table of Contents
The traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées
After the parade, Parisians and visitors can meet the soldiers of the French army at eight locations, including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Place de la Nation. The first aerial flypast by the Patrouille de France begins at 10 AM, and the closing parade will take place around 12 PM.
Thursday, July 14, 2016, parade from 10 AM to 12 PM on the Champs-Élysées
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Free admission at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum will be open and access to the collections will be free on that day (as it is every year, this is a recurring tip you can keep in mind).
Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Louvre Museum 75001 Paris
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Concert and fireworks around the Eiffel Tower
Fired from the Eiffel Tower, the traditional July 14 fireworks will begin at 11 PM with Groupe F and will last 35 minutes.
It will also be preceded at 9:30 PM by the Paris Concert with the Orchestre National de France, the Radio France Choir, and the Radio France Maîtrise on the Champ-de-Mars. The evening will conclude with an illumination of the Eiffel Tower.
Thursday, July 14, 2016 Location: Champ de Mars Lyric concert at 9:30 PM, fireworks at 11:00 PM
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Aerial parades and fireworks from the front row at Bar La Vue
The Bar La Vue on the 34th floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, will open exceptionally on the morning of July 14 from 10 AM, allowing its guests to have a front-row seat during the aerial parades and enjoy the bar’s services until evening.
Indeed, in the evening, the bar offers a selection of cocktails. It is the perfect opportunity to see (from the best seat, most certainly) the grand finale of the fireworks (starting at 11 PM), which promises to be spectacular.
Bar La Vue: July 14, 2016, open from 10 AM to 1:30 AM Special offer for July 14, starting at 9 PM: a choice of cocktail from the selection served with an assortment of mignardises: €60 (in the second row)
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A free ballet at the Paris Opera
Dance enthusiasts should head to the Opéra Bastille, which is hosting a free performance of the ballet Peck / Balanchine, a creation by Justin Peck and George Balanchine.
A little tip: if you want to secure a seat, I strongly suggest you arrive several hours in advance because the event is always packed!
Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 2:30 PM, free entry subject to availability Opéra Bastille Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris Duration: 1h10 without intermission
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The FG Garden Party at the Hippodrome de Longchamp
For an elegant national celebration, head to the 16th arrondissement on Thursday to the Hippodrome de Longchamp for its Garden Party with a giant dance floor hosted by DJs.
The program includes gallop horse races, daytime activities for kids, and a DJ set.
Thursday, July 14, 2016 starting at 4 PM / price: €8 to €10 Free for children under 12
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The July 14 Popular Balls
The last must-do for the July 14 festivities are the popular balls, where you can dance until dawn.
Around fifteen Parisian fire stations open their doors to the public with orchestras for a fun, festive atmosphere.
Whether outdoors in station courtyards or by the water, you just have to choose your district! Be careful, as these evenings—often free or very inexpensive—are very popular with Parisians, so arrive early to avoid spending your night queuing on the sidewalk.
Balls on July 13 and 14 / from 9 PM to 4 AM, entry fee varies by station
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The launch of Paris Quartier d’été
For the launch of the festival that will liven up Paris all summer long (and which I already mentioned in my little Paris Summer Guide), you can go see a free show:
- Symphonie Fantastique episode from the life of an artist, Hector Berlioz / Arthur Lavandier Le Balcon + Orchestre Impromptu
Symphonie Fantastique Parc de la Butte du Chapeau-Rouge 75019 Paris Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 PM
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July 14 in Saint-Ouen
The National Day will be celebrated on Thursday, July 14 from 12 PM to 7 PM in the Grand Parc of Saint-Ouen with a ball and a republican lunch.
Program: Jazz-World Music concert, republican lunch, food trucks, acrobatic and dance demonstration by the “Pleyel City Beast” dance school at 4 PM in the presence of Brahim Zaibat.
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The “Cafète Nationale”
Le Fooding is organizing a big popular ball on July 13 with a tricolor refreshment bar, red-white-and-blue cocktails, a troupe of artists, and great French chefs (Iñaki Aizpitarte, Yann Couvreur…) who will reinterpret street classics.
This pop garden party in the heart of Buttes Chaumont will highlight 5 star chefs and artisans from the Fooding guide, who will serve typical village festival and street food specialties in a dance-hall atmosphere set by the one who “shakes up French song,” Arnaud Fleurent-Didier.
July 13 from 7 PM to midnight Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, at the Pavillon Puebla 75019 Paris Price: €20, sales open on June 30 at lefooding.com (entry profits donated to the Enfants du Congo Béthanie shelter center)
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So, what are you doing for July 14?
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan
