⚠️ French National Day, 2026 Note: Fireworks exceptionally moved to July 13. Military parade still July 14 morning.
Watching the Eiffel Tower fireworks is one of the highlights of France’s National Day in Paris. Fortunately, the city and its surrounding areas offer plenty of scenic viewing spots.
The fireworks display takes place around the Eiffel Tower after dusk (11 p.m.) and is always spectacular.
Important: The tenth anniversary of the Nice terrorist attack will be commemorated on 14 July 2026. To allow these remembrance ceremonies to take place with the appropriate solemnity, the City of Paris, in coordination with the President of the Republic, has decided to move the traditional National Day fireworks display at the Champ de Mars to the evening of 13 July. This change in schedule will not impact this major public celebration.
Thanks to the Eiffel Tower’s monumental size, it is possible to have great views of the Eiffel Tower and the fireworks from different places in Paris. From the most obvious to the most original, here are the best spots to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks on 13 July.
- Champ de Mars
- Special Seine River Dinner Cruise
- Montparnasse Tower
- Rooftop Bars with an Eiffel Tower View
- Book a Hotel with Eiffel Tower Views
- Other Iconic Places to Watch the Eiffel Tower Fireworks
Eiffel Tower Fireworks on July 13 – What to Expect
The 30-minute show usually revolves around a specific topic. This year, France is commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Marine nationale (French Navy), and there will also be a tribute to Rome and to the historical and cultural ties that unite the two capitals.
In addition to the traditional fireworks, there will be over a thousand tiny drones for a more spectacular show.
Curious About the Eiffel Tower Fireworks? Watch a Replay from a Previous Year
Best Places to Watch the Eiffel Tower Fireworks
1. Champ de Mars
Many locals and visitors enjoy watching the Eiffel Tower fireworks from Champ de Mars, located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Here, the fireworks are always preceded by a grand concert featuring the Orchestre National de France, the Choir, and the Maîtrise de Radio France, which typically concludes with the Marseillaise, marking an intense moment of national unity.
Needless to say, Champ de Mars is the most crowded place to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks, and finding a free spot of grass is always challenging (many people camp out on the Champ de Mars all day to have a front-row seat).
Security checks to access Champ de Mars are also long. Also, please note that knives are not permitted (not even for your picnic), and glass bottles of any kind are prohibited, as well as all alcohol after 4 p.m.
Arrive at Champ de Mars well in advance! Arrive at least 45 minutes in advance to undergo security checks at the entrance points. For security reasons, some metro stations will be closed from 7 p.m.
- Line 6: Kléber, Boissière, Passy, Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Dupleix, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Cambronne, Sèvres-Lecourbe
- Line 8: La Tour-Maubourg, École Militaire, Invalides, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle
- Line 9: Trocadéro, Alma-Marceau, Iéna, Rue de la Pompe
- Line 10: Javel – André Citroën, La Motte-Picquet Grenelle, Église d’Auteuil, Avenue Émile Zola, Boulogne Pont de Saint-Cloud, Boulogne Jean Jaurès, Chardon Lagache, Charles Michels, Michel-Ange Auteuil, Michel-Ange Molitor, Mirabeau, Porte d’Auteuil, Ségur
- Line 13: Invalides, Saint-François-Xavier, Varenne
- RER C: Pont de l’Alma, Champ-de-Mars – Tour Eiffel, Avenue du Président Kennedy – Maison de Radio France, Javel, Invalides.
2. Special Seine River Dinner Cruise
A dinner cruise along the Seine River is an excellent opportunity to admire the Eiffel Tower fireworks from a unique perspective and without the crowds. Many Seine River Cruises offer a dining option, but the National Day Dinner Cruises are more festive (live music band included) and scheduled around the fireworks.
This year, the Bastille Day dinner cruises will exceptionally take place on 13 July.
-This Bastille Day Dinner Cruise by Le Diamant Bleu includes a 3-course French gastronomic meal, accompanied by water and a complimentary bottle of wine. After the meal, move up to the panoramic rooftop for live music while waiting for the fireworks to start! Boarding is in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris, opposite Île-aux-Cygnes
-This Bastille Day Special Dinner Cruise by Paris City Vision also looks very promising. This exclusive dinner cruise (3-meal course and apéritif) combines gourmet cuisine with breathtaking views of Paris illuminated for France’s national celebration. Boarding is in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris, at the foot of Orsay Museum. Paris City Vision also offers a shorter dinner cruise (2 hours) also scheduled around the fireworks.
– Bateaux Mouches’s Bastille Day Dinner Cruise is a classic. Enjoy a cruise, a 4-course dinner, live music, and a fireworks display launched from the Eiffel Tower – all in a single evening! Boarding is in the 8th Arrondissement (Seine’s right bank), not far from Pont Alexandre iii
TIP: rent a private boat for partying and sailing along the Seine River (skipper mandatory).
3. Montparnasse Tower (closed for works)
From the Montparnasse Tower, you have an excellent front view of the Iron Lady, so it is also a great place to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks.
The Montparnasse Tower offers a special soirée on 14 July, which includes rooftop access to watch the fireworks, the Paris Travel Time VR experience, musical entertainment, and a glass of champagne.
4. Rooftop Bars with an Eiffel Tower View
If you want to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks without the crowds, the best option is to try to book a spot at one of the many rooftop bars in Paris. Advance reservations are a must in all cases, and spaces fill up quickly.
Here’s a list of great rooftop bars in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view for this special soirée.
- The rooftops of the hotels Generator, Novotel Paris Vaugirard Montparnasse, Peninsula Paris, Raphaël, Terrass Hotel, Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, Molitor, the Pley, the Canopy by Hilton, La Réserve Paris, Les Piaules Nation.
- The terrace of the restaurant Les Ombres on the roof of the Musée du Quai Branly
- The terrace of a concept store in Montmartre – Cœur Sacré.
5. Book a Hotel with Eiffel Tower Views
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and you can afford it, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower fireworks?
Get unparalleled views from the comfort of your room or the hotel’s common places by booking at one of these hotels with an Eiffel Tower view.
6. Other Iconic Places to Watch the Eiffel Tower Fireworks
These strategic places in Paris offer some of the best views of the Bastille Day fireworks display. These are public spaces, which means there’s no entrance fee, but they are crowded.
- Place du Trocadéro (just in front of the Eiffel Tower, but on the other side of the Seine River)
- Parc de Belleville, in Paris 20, has excellent views over the Eiffel Tower
- The Seine River banks and bridges of the Seine River. I especially like Pont des Arts, with a nice view of the Eiffel Tower and Pont Neuf in the foreground.
- Montmartre
- Other great places with Eiffel Tower views.
