Fireworks in Paris: why the Eiffel Tower will light up exceptionally on July 13, 2026 and not on July 14
This year, the Fête Nationale fireworks display will not take place on the usual date. The fireworks display in Paris has been brought forward by one day to 2026, for a reason that is both solemn and profoundly human, which this article details, with all the practical information you’ll need.
A meaningful change of date
Every year, July 14th marks France’s national holiday. Millions of people gather to watch the fireworks display fired from the Eiffel Tower. However, in 2026, the City of Paris has taken a decision that is out of the ordinary.
The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Nice attack, which took place on the Promenade des Anglais on July 14, 2016. Out of respect for the victims and their families, the day of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, will be entirely dedicated to remembrance. As a result, popular festivities – including a giant concert and fireworks display – have been brought forward to the evening of Monday July 13, 2026.
This choice reconciles the celebration of republican values with the duty of remembrance. In addition, the traditional military parade will continue on the morning of Tuesday July 14, 2026, from 10:00 am on the Champs-Élysées avenue, in the presence of the President of the Republic.
“To ensure that the day of July 14, 2026 is entirely devoted to remembrance, meditation and sobriety, the municipality has taken the exceptional decision to bring forward the major popular festive gatherings to the evening of Monday July 13.”
The official program for July 13, 2026
The fireworks in Paris will be fired from the Eiffel Tower, with a dedicated, secure public area on the Champ-de-Mars. The show will start at 11.00 pm sharp and last 35 minutes, until 11.35 pm. As every year, the show will be accompanied by an original artistic creation, both musical and visual.
The official theme of the 2026 edition has yet to be revealed. However, two sequences have already been announced: a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, and a tribute to Rome and the historical and cultural links between the two capitals.
For those who can’t make it to the show, it will be broadcast live and in full on France 2, as well as streamed and replayed on the France.tv platform. So no one will miss the show.
Where to see the free fireworks show
Access to the Champ-de-Mars and the Trocadéro esplanade is entirely free of charge and requires no reservation. Several tens of thousands of spectators are expected to attend. We therefore strongly advise you to arrive in the late afternoon to pass through security and gain access to the lawns.
Many other spots in Paris also offer unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower. Here are five free and accessible places to enjoy the fireworks show:
- Paris bridges: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Pont de l’Alma, Pont Alexandre III, Pont de la Concorde
- The heights of Montmartre, from the Sacré-Coeur square
- Belleville heights, rue des Pyrénées
- Avenue de Camoens and Rue Le Tasse, opposite the Eiffel Tower
- The Avre footbridge at Saint-Cloud, for a view of the surrounding area
For a different kind of experience, you can admire the fireworks in Paris from the Seine on a cruise, or from the roof of a Paris rooftop.
Public transport: stations closed on July 13
The Paris Prefecture of Police is introducing major restrictions on public transport. Several stations will be closed from the morning of Monday July 13, 2026, followed by many others from 7pm and 11pm, depending on the line.
From 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., the following stations will be closed: on line 1, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau, Concorde and Tuileries. On line 6, Charles-de-Gaulle Étoile also closes at 6:30 a.m. Line 2 (Charles de Gaulle-Étoile), line 8 (Concorde), line 9 (Franklin D. Roosevelt), line 12 (Concorde), line 13 (Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau) and RER line A (Charles de Gaulle-Étoile) are affected during the same period.
From 7pm, many stations close to the show area will close in turn: Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Dupleix, Kléber, Passy on line 6; École Militaire, Invalides, La Tour-Maubourg on line 8; Alma-Marceau, Iéna, Rue de la Pompe on line 9; Invalides, Saint-François-Xavier, Varenne on line 13. RER line C (Champ-de-Mars Tour Eiffel) is closed from 3pm. We strongly advise you to plan your journeys in advance.
Practical tips for preparing your party
Whether you’re a Parisian or a visitor, a few simple reflexes will make your evening much more enjoyable. First of all, arriving early is the golden rule: security checks can take a long time in the face of such crowds. What’s more, it’s a good idea to have a plan for getting back home on foot or by bike, as many metro and RER stations will be closed late into the night.
The fireworks display in Paris lasts 35 minutes, from 11.00 pm to 11.35 pm. The Champ-de-Mars also hosts a symphony concert beforehand, free of charge and without reservation. Arriving in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy the concert before the big show.
For those wishing to experience the event from a restaurant with a view, a number of establishments are offering special dinners on the evening of July 13. For example, the Stage Skybar, perched on the 40th floor of the Wyndham hotel in Saint-Denis at a height of 129 meters, offers a gourmet buffet, cocktails and a breathtaking view of the fireworks display fired from the Eiffel Tower.
So, whether you choose a lawn on the Champ-de-Mars, a bridge over the Seine or a Parisian rooftop, the Paris fireworks display on July 13, 2026 promises to be a momentous occasion, marked as much by celebration as by remembrance.
