Bastille Day in Paris

(France's National Day)

The_Ink_Collective_Inside_Ink_Pret_A_Partir_Paris_Guide_Bastille_Day_1.jpg

This Sunday marks the most important day in the history of France — Bastille Day — a celebration of Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood — and power to the people. This July 14, 2019, you have the choice between admiring the fireworks in Paris, choosing the music concert on the Champs de Mars, or going to dance all night long at the Bal des Pompier (Fireman’s Ball) on July 13 and 14. Here, we shortlist our top options in Paris for a weekend of fun and festivities!

If there is a fireworks not to be missed, it’s the July 14 ones at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In addition to the unique pyrotechnic show, shot from this iconic monument, if you can brave the crowds and get there early to snag a spot in prime position on the Champ de Mars, then an exceptional evening awaits you filled with music, lights and lots of life. 

This year, the City Hall will also once again host the Concert de Paris, bringing together the Orchestra National de France and the Choir of Radio France for a masterly concert of classics and new age adaptations in the open air. 

This concert will take place at the Champ de Mars and will start at 21h and provides beautiful entertainment for Parisians and tourists until 23h, when the fireworks display begins!

On 13th and 14th of July 2019 the city also presents its citizens and visitors with a unique opportunity to meet and greet its dedicated firemen in their respective fire stations across various arrondissements — as they let loose for the party of the year and invite you to dance the night away in multiple events which go on at the same time. Pick one in the area that suits you best and have fun all night long! All stations will be open for the festivities on July 13th from 9pm to 4am.

The_Ink_Collective_Inside_Ink_Pret_A_Partir_Paris_Guide_Bastille_Day_2.jpg

Below is a list of the main locations for the Bal de Pompiers in Paris: 

Paris Center : Louvre, Opera, Châtelet, Bourse
Caserne ROUSSEAU (8° Cie) / 21, rue du Jour - 1st arrondissement

Paris Marais : Saint Paul, Beaubourg, Bretagne
Caserne SEVIGNE (11° Cie) / 07-09, rue de Sévigné - 4th arrondissement

Paris Rive Gauche : Saint Michel, Odeon, Invalides
Caserne des Arènes de Lutèce ( 29°Cie) / 47-59, rue Monge - 5th arrondissement
Caserne COLOMBIER (4° Cie) / 11, rue du Vieux Colombier - 6th arrondissement

Paris West : Cambronne, Champs-Elysee 
Caserne GRENELLE (6° Cie) / 06, place Violet - 15th arrondissement
Caserne BOURSAULT (20° Cie et 9° Cie) / 27, rue Boursault / 17th arrondissement

Paris North : Saint Georges, Gare de l’Est, Barbes
Caserne BLANCHE (7° Cie) / 28, rue Blanche - 9th arrondissement
Caserne MONTMARTRE (20° Cie et 9° Cie) / 12, rue Carpeaux - 18th arrondissement

Paris South : BNF, Denfert, Bastille
Caserne CHALIGNY (1° Cie) / 26, rue de Chaligny - 12th arrondissement
Caserne PORT-ROYAL (3° Cie) / 53-55, boulevard Port-Royal - 13th arrondissement
Caserne MASSENA (19° et 2° Cie) / 37, boulevard Masséna - 13th arrondissement 

Paris East : Villette, Pyrenees
Caserne BITCHE (10° Cie) / 2, place de Bitche - 19th arrondissement
Caserne MENILMONTANT (12° Cie) / 47, rue Saint-Fargeau - 20th arrondissement

More from Prêt-A-Partir
Datsha
Eat, Paris
Datsha
Eat, Paris

There are many things to love about young prodigy/superstar chef Alexia Duchêne — not least of all that she’s just launched her very own, brand-spanking new restaurant Datsha — a beautiful gem in none other than the Marais.

Eat, Paris
Raymonda Ballet – Opéra Bastille, Paris
See, Paris
Raymonda Ballet – Opéra Bastille, Paris
See, Paris

Curtains may be closing on 2019, but the show must go on. At The Ink Collective, we’ll be toasting in the New Year with a class act at the Opera Bastille in Paris, no less. 

See, Paris
Vino e Cucina
Drink, Paris
Vino e Cucina
Drink, Paris

‘Tis the week before Xmas — and this one for anyone who is (admittedly) half-Grinch about it all and wants to indulge in some of this season’s jolly cheer, without going full jingle. 

Drink, Paris
Madison Caffe
Eat, Paris
Madison Caffe
Eat, Paris

Whether it’s the Grand Bistro, Bar à Huîtres, or the string of trattorias he’s known for; such as The Little Italy, The Brooklyn Pizzeria and Manhattan Terrazza; one thing is for sure — restaurateur Garry Dorr knows his stuff — and with his latest outpost ‘Madison Caffe’, he’s done it again and is onto a winner.

Eat, Paris
La Cave de Belleville
Drink, Paris
La Cave de Belleville
Drink, Paris

Right-bank purists, 19eme loyalists and vino-lovers du jour, listen up — because this winebar is one local gem, smack-bang in the heart of Belleville, that you’re going to want to check out — if you haven’t already.

Drink, Paris
Cédric Grolet, Opéra
Eat, Paris
Cédric Grolet, Opéra
Eat, Paris

Sweet-tooth, pastry (and bread-eating) people — rejoice. After weeks of teasing on Instagram, Cédric Grolet — rising culinary star & executive pastry chef at the French five-star hotel, Le Meurice — has (finally) announced the opening date of his very first bakery, in Paris.

Eat, Paris
Joséphine
Drink, Paris
Joséphine
Drink, Paris

Video, music, art — and bona fide fashion pedigree — have combined for this new nightclub named in honour of legendary performer Josephine Baker, which has just launched in the heart of Paris’ Châtelet district, and it promises to be a huge hit. 

Drink, Paris
Le Chalet des Îles
Eat, Paris
Le Chalet des Îles
Eat, Paris

As we all know — cheese, is life. In winter, it’s best served melted (in a pot or otherwise) — and in Paris: you can up the ante and eat your weight in it, on an island. Because, why not? 

Eat, Paris
El Nopal
Eat, Paris
El Nopal
Eat, Paris

Dia de los Muertos has passed, but since they don’t really celebrate it in France, we’ve been left with the need to spice things up further with this foodie addition to our list. 

Eat, Paris
Andy Wahloo
Drink, Paris
Andy Wahloo
Drink, Paris

A strong and extravagant taste of the iconic Studio 54 + fresh Parisian charm, and a dash of Moroccan spice, all served with a mysterious story = a recipe for a funky Friday night. 

Drink, Paris
Prêt-A-PartirJustina ShpotaSee, Paris