Bastille Day: Paris Concert at the Champ-de-Mars delayed by 45 minutes due to the heatwave

Due to the heatwave, the Paris Police Prefecture has decided to delay the major “Concert de Paris,” scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Champ-de-Mars. Our colleagues at Le Parisien report the news. The symphony concert will therefore begin 45 minutes later than originally scheduled.

On Monday, July 13, 2026, Paris celebrates Bastille Day with a fireworks display launched from the Eiffel Tower, preceded by a free symphony concert. Every year, the City of Paris organizes this major classical music concert at the Champ-de-Mars, with the Orchestre national de France, the Chœur de Radio France and the Maîtrise de Radio France. This year is no exception, promising those attending, as well as the many television viewers, a unique musical experience.

Because of the red heatwave alert in Paris and Île-de-France, many people were wondering whether the major musical event would go ahead. As our colleagues at Le Parisien report, the "Paris Concert" will indeed go ahead on July 13 at the Champ-de-Mars. “Unlike the previous heatwave in June, during which health services were under strain, conditions allow the concert to go ahead at the Champ-de-Mars this evening as part of the Bastille Day celebrations,” the Paris Police Prefecture said in a statement.

However, the Paris Police Prefecture has decided to delay the start of the “Concert de Paris” by 45 minutes. The event will therefore begin this Monday at 9:45 p.m. “To limit the public’s exposure to the heat, it has been decided to delay the start of the concert by 45 minutes,” the Paris Police Prefecture said. Our colleagues at Le Parisien also report that public access to the Champ-de-Mars will be delayed until 8 p.m., rather than 4 p.m. The fireworks display will begin at 11 p.m.

Paris concert at the Champ de Mars on July 13 for Bastille Day — the program
To cap off Bastille Day in style, the Orchestre National de France, the Maîtrise, and the Radio France Choir stage a grand free symphonic concert each year on the Champ-de-Mars, opposite the Eiffel Tower. Because the fireworks are being held the day before this year, the big free concert is also moved to Monday, July 13, 2026. This year, guests Gautier Capuçon, Marina Viotti, and Corinne Winters are on the lineup. Read on for the program of this Concert of Paris, 2026 edition. Note that, due to the heatwave, the concert starts 45 minutes later. [Read more]

In addition, for security reasons, several Metro and RER stations are closed this Monday, July 13.

National Day: the list of Metro and RER stations closed on July 13 for the fireworks
This Monday, July 13, 2026, many Metro lines will be affected by security measures for the fireworks, which will exceptionally be held on the eve of National Day. Find out which stations will be closed for the occasion! [Read more]