How does France mark July 14, and where are the best firework displays in 2025?

France’s national day falls on July 14 – this coming Monday – leading to a public holiday and celebrations across the country. 

Known as la fête nationale – ‘Bastille Day’, an Anglicism and not used in France itself – it often sees firework displays in the evening, but as a public holiday can see many events throughout the day. 

Public transport runs throughout the day and shops may still be open (particularly supermarkets and restaurants), although most offices will be closed as will non-emergency public sector buildings. 

Local mairies organise picnics and concerts, which often contain celebrations of the republique and republican values. The day is a celebration of France’s republican tradition (and partially of the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789, credited with starting the French Revolution). 

What else happens? 

Other events include a military parade along the Champs-Elysées in Paris – returning to its iconic route after last year’s Olympic Games in the city led to a detour along nearby Avenue Foch – as well as the 'bals des pompiers' – firefighters’ balls held in the casernes (or fire stations) across France. 

The balls are charity events with money raised often going towards maintenance of the station, or to payments for families of firefighters killed in operations.

They take place in the evening and can coincide with firework displays (see below).

Check the dates if you are planning to attend as they can take place on July 12 or 13 as well as July 14. 

They can last well into the early hours of the following morning. 

Temporary traffic regulations around fire stations are likely over the weekend to prepare for the events.

Firework displays at home and in the city

However the main events taking place are the firework displays. 

You can host a fireworks display at your home – but will need to check with the mairie in advance if any restrictions are in place – providing you use fireworks that are within regulations. 

Notably, fireworks of an ‘F4’ level (the most powerful) can only be handled by professionals and are not for use at home.

There are sometimes restrictions in place on purchasing fireworks in France – particularly during times of political tension – and this year has seen bans put in place in some departments including Mayenne as French media Ouest-France have reported.

Otherwise, free firework displays are organised by mairies throughout the country, from major cities to smaller communes. 

These often extravagant displays take place in the evening after sunset – usually between 22:30 and midnight – and sometimes have a specific theme included in the display. 

In Paris, the fireworks burst forth from the iconic Eiffel tower to illuminate the city’s skyline, but other impressive displays take place in Lyon, Cannes, Biarritz, Strasbourg, and several others. 

State rail operator SNCF lists its ‘top 10’ displays for 2025 here.