Eiffel Tower Firework Display – Once-in-a-Lifetime Event

On the day before 14 July my landlord had a short chat with me and mentioned that I should not miss the Eiffel Tower firework display. Well, I thought that I might “take a look”, and assumed that it would just be another firework display.

But for my landlord, I would never have known that Bastille Day in Paris was a once-in-a-lifetime event! Every other tourist would have planned for that day just to watch the Eiffel Tower firework display, whereas I not only watched it, but also got a nice spot for my tripod, successfully took gorgeous photos and filmed the climax, all without any planning!

Options to Watch the Eiffel Tower Fireworks

Of course my spontaneous travel style does fit this kind of encounter. As I mentioned earlier, the 15th arrondissement is an ideal district for you to stay while exploring Paris, especially on foot. You’ll be able to see the Eiffel Tower from different perspectives following any of the 3 routes I have outlined for you.

Olivier Karfis shared 5 options to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks, among which there are; watching it on TV, watching it from your balcony with a great view of the Tower, watching it from Sacré Cœur, finding a spot on Boulevard Pasteur in the 15th arrondissement.

I wouldn’t recommend any of these 4 to you though. Watching it on TV? Well, you can always do so later but if it works for you then you don’t even need to fly to Paris! Watching it from your balcony? Well, if you’re so rich and so lucky, but unless you’re really close to the Tower, then forget it – it wouldn’t even be as good as watching TV without the audio sound effects. Needless to mention the same goes for Sacré Cœur or Boulevard Pasteur and having to compete with thousands of tourists for a good spot.

If it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event for you too, please do it properly and find a spot at Champ de Mars. You don’t need to spend 12 hours guarding your spot. Max. 5 hours. The more difficult something is, the more rewarding it is in the end. I didn’t expect the firework display to be so spectacular, but the moment of the climax blew me away. The few hours’ waiting paid off handsomely.

Eiffel Tower Firework Display Prologue

14 July, Bastille Day is the French National Day. It commemorates the Storming of the Bastille at the start of the French Revolution. The Bastille Day Eiffel Tower firework display usually starts at around 11pm and lasts 35 minutes. I had the pleasure of watching the 2014’s Eiffel Tower Bastille Day firework display and the theme for that year was “Guerre et Paix” (War and Peace).

I arrived at Champ de Mars right after an early dinner nearby. The sunset was shining on the building of École Militaire facing the entrance to Champ de Mars at Place Joffre. Paris policemen were screening bags.

Colorful breathtaking Eiffel Tower firework display

Splendid Eiffel Tower Firework Display

Eiffel Tower in yellow, fireworks fading with smoke at the end

The ground on Champ de Mars was left clean when Parisians were walking out of Champ de Mars in good order after the firework display. You’ll not be able to take a taxi or bus near Champ de Mars at that time though. That’s why I always recommend staying in the 15th arrondissement within walking distance of the Tower.

Kissing in front of the Tower at the Climax

I wouldn’t say it’s a good time to propose marriage, no matter how wonderful the time is, because everyone is concentrating on the firework display while listening to the background music or even singing along to it. It’s a precious moment for everyone there not to be disrupted. However, bringing your loved one and kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower at the display’s climax is one of the most beautiful memories that you will hold precious forever.