How to Watch Fireworks on Bastille Day

The pyrotechnics display at the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day is one of the most impressive in the world. By picking the right spot after the conclusion of the military parades, you will be able to watch state-of-the-art fireworks while eating the finest French cuisine, and drinking a fabulous bottle of French champagne.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Bottled water
• Hat
• Hotel room with a view of the Eiffel Tower
• Earplugs

1. Watch the fireworks in Paris on Bastille Day by scouting out proper locations that have a great view of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero, where the fireworks are launched. Locate an area that has easy access to public toilets, food and drink, such as a sidewalk cafe. Be prepared to claim your spot as soon as possible after the conclusion of the military parade along the Champs-Elysees, when the crowds start to slowly disperse and move on to the street fairs and the Fete de Federation Feast.
2. Bring plenty of provisions to last you throughout the day. The parades end sometime after noon, and the fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower won't begin until close to 11 p.m. You will need sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the July heat, along with plenty of bottled water.
3. Book a room well in advance of Bastille Day to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your balcony. While this may take a bit of planning, as well as significant amount of money, this is the best way to see the splendor of the pyrotechnics display in comfort and style. Note that you may have to make reservations for a hotel room with a grand view of the Eiffel Tower as much as a year in advance.
4. Wear earplugs if you wind up finding a spot that is relatively close to the Eiffel Tower or Trocadero, where the fireworks are launched. The sound coming from the cannons can be quite startling, not to mention deafening.
5. Enjoy the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day. This is truly a multi-media affair, with plenty of music, lights and fire displays accompanying the 1 hour pyrotechnics show. Just be prepared for huge lines at the cab stands, as the Metro stations nearest the Eiffel Tower are usually closed, and the nearest open stations are jam-packed with Parisians and tourists traveling back home.

Tips & Warnings

• Make friends with the local Parisians by asking them to educate you about Bastille Day, the French Revolution or even Marie Antionette. Be sure to buy them a drink for their trouble, which will certainly be appreciated.
• It is legal to set off fireworks in Paris on Bastille Day. If you miss the opportunity to see the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, you can always catch novice displays throughout the city, or purchase your own fireworks and create your own display.
• Be on the lookout for individuals who toss fireworks into crowds while celebrating Bastille Day. While this is by no means a major problem, several incidents of young Parisians making mischief on Bastille Day have been reported throughout the years.