The July 14, 2026 military parade is being held on its usual date, Tuesday, July 14, along the Champs-Élysées in Paris (8th arrondissement). As every year to celebrate the French national day, the various branches of the armed forces march before the crowd and the President of the Republic, from the Charles-de-Gaulle roundabout to the Place de la Concorde. The Patrouille de France once again paints the Paris sky with its tri-color smoke, in front of thousands of spectators gathered along the avenue.
Why is July 14th a national holiday in France? Origins and history of the national holiday
Every July 14, France celebrates its national holiday! But do you remember exactly what happened in France on July 14, 1789? And do you know how long July 14 has been a public holiday in France? We tell you. [Read more]
This 2026 edition is marked by a calendar change for the feu d'artifice. The City of Paris, in agreement with the President, has decided to move the traditional Champ-de-Mars firework display to Sunday evening, July 13. The reason is solemn: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of the Nice attack, which occurred on the evening of the July 14, 2016 fireworks on the Promenade des Anglais, where a truck struck 86 people, including around a dozen children and teenagers. Emmanuel Grégoire, the mayor of Paris, said he hoped this moment of reflection could unfold with all the solemnity it requires.
The slight delay won’t dampen the quality of the spectacle: the fireworks display of July 13 will, as every year, be accompanied by a brand-new artistic creation, both musical and visual. Several tableaux will pace this edition, including a segment dedicated to 400 years of the Navy and a tribute to Rome, echoing the historical and cultural ties that bind the two capitals. The event will be broadcast live on television and streamed online.
The military parade on the Champs-Élysées remains firmly anchored to July 14. It’s one of the marquee public events of the National Holiday, free to watch from the sidewalks along the avenue. To attend, you can easily reach the site via these metro stations: Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau (lines 1 and 13), Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9), George V (line 1) and Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (lines 1, 2 and 6). It’s best to arrive early to secure a good spot, as barriers go up in the morning. And to learn more about the origins of this rendezvous, we explain why July 14 is a holiday in France and where this tradition comes from.
Also note that if you’d like to pay tribute to the victims of the Nice attack, Tuesday, July 14 will double as the official commemorations for the ten-year anniversary of that tragedy. A moment of collective remembrance that gives this 2026 edition a notably sober, solemn tone, in contrast with the usual summer revelry.
The detailed program for this 2026 edition will be released by the Ministry of the Armed Forces in the coming weeks. Stay tuned — we’ll update this article as soon as the information becomes available.
The traditional Eiffel Tower fireworks display will not take place on the evening of July 14 as usual, but on the day before, July 13, 2026. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
On July 14, 2026
Location
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Av. des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris 8
Access
Metro: Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau (lines 1 and 13) Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9) George V (line 1) Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (lines 1, 2 and 6)
Prices
Free
Why is July 14th a national holiday in France? Origins and history of the national holiday
Bastille Day 2026 in Paris: The Eiffel Tower fireworks won’t be set off on July 14.
