Despite the disappointing weather forecast for this Monday, July 14, 2014, I still wanted to share a small Parisian selection with you so you can fully enjoy this festive day.
Firemen’s balls, fireworks, garden parties… everyone has their own way of celebrating the national holiday!
Melle Bon Plan’s small Parisian selection:
The traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées
This year, the “Centenary of the First World War” is in the spotlight. After the parade, Parisians and Île-de-France residents will be able to meet soldiers of the French army at eight sites, including the Esplanade des Invalides and Place de la Nation.
The first aerial parade by the Patrouille de France begins at 10:30 AM, with the closing parade at 11:40 AM.
Monday, July 14, 2014, parade from 9:10 AM to 12 PM on the Champs-Élysées
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Free access 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). Note, however, that the temporary exhibition in the Napoleon Hall is not included in this exceptional free offer.
Monday, July 14, 2014, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
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Concert and fireworks around the Eiffel Tower
Launched from the Eiffel Tower (it’s the first time since 2000), the traditional July 14th fireworks will have the theme War and Peace this year. It will start at 11 PM with Groupe F.
It will also be preceded at 9:30 PM by the Concert de Paris with the Orchestre National de France and Nathalie Dessay on the Champ-de-Mars (program includes Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, Offenbach, and Tchaikovsky, as well as Star Wars scores by John Williams and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg).
The evening will end with an illumination of the Eiffel Tower.
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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 exceptionally open on the morning of July 14th at 10 AM, allowing its guests to have a front-row seat for the aerial parades and enjoy the bar’s services until the evening.
Indeed, in the evening, the bar offers a selection of cocktails accompanied by an assortment of six mignardises (canelé, lemon meringue tartlet, strawberry macaron, chocolate cream puff, pistachio and cherry financier, and nougat).
It is an opportunity to see (from the best seat, most certainly) the grand finale of the fireworks on the theme “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” (starting at 11 PM), which promises to be spectacular.
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From 9 PM to 1 AM, a DJ will also provide music for the bar.
Bar La Vue: July 14, 2014, open from 10 AM to 1 AM
July 14 offer, from 9 PM: one cocktail of your choice from the selection served with an assortment of 6 mignardises: €60
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A free opera at the Paris Opera
Opera lovers should head to the Opéra Bastille, which is giving a free performance of La Bohème (in Italian) by Puccini, a 4-act opera from 1896.
A little tip: if you want to manage to get a seat, I strongly invite you to arrive several hours in advance because the event is always packed!
Monday, July 14, 2014, at 7:30 PM, free entry subject to availability
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The Garden Party at the Longchamp Racecourse
For an elegant national holiday, head to the 16th arrondissement this Sunday to the Longchamp Racecourse for its Garden Party with a giant dancefloor hosted by Bob Sinclar.
The program includes eight horse races, daytime activities for little ones, a DJ set by Cassius, and fireworks.
Sunday, July 13, 2014, from 4 PM to 1 AM / price: €10
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The July 14th Popular Balls
The last must-do of the July 14th festivities: the popular balls for dancing until dawn.
About fifteen Parisian fire stations open their doors to the public, with orchestras, to party in good spirits.
Outdoors in the station courtyards or by the water, you just have to choose your arrondissement! Be careful: these evenings, which are often free or very inexpensive, are very popular with Parisians, so arrive early to avoid spending your evening on the sidewalk waiting in line.
Balls on July 13 and 14 / from 9 PM to 4 AM, admission varies by station
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July 14 in Saint-Ouen
The National Holiday will be celebrated on Monday, July 14, from 2 PM to 7 PM in the Grand Parc of Saint-Ouen.
On the program: guinguette concert, snack time, pony rides, and a carousel to delight young and old. The associations Adesca, D’Brouy Jeunesse, and Apeis will offer smoothies, crepes, cakes, sandwiches, and various types of cheese and wine.
