Paris celebrates national holiday with fireworks and 1,600 drones

Paris – July 14, 2026: Paris celebrated its national holiday on the evening of Monday, July 13, with a large fireworks display and choreography involving 1,600 LED drones. The show at the Eiffel Tower combined fireworks effects, lighting displays and drone formations above the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro. According to witnesses and media reports, notable figures included the Statue of Liberty and symbols relating to the values of freedom and the republic.

In 2026, the event was exceptionally brought forward by one day. It took place on the evening of July 13 rather than on the actual national holiday, July 14. The City of Paris explained that the change was related to the tenth anniversary of the July 14, 2016 terrorist attack in Nice. Accordingly, July 14 was to be dedicated to commemorating the dead and injured and holding official memorial ceremonies.

The Eiffel Tower was at the center of the staging and was incorporated into the drone show from both the Trocadéro and Champ de Mars sides. The city had announced in advance that 1,600 flying devices would be used on both sides of the structure for the first time. The choreography was therefore designed for audiences viewing from different directions, while fireworks illuminated the sky above the landmark.

According to the City of Paris, the event addressed several historical and cultural themes. Alongside the motto of liberty, equality and fraternity, the program included the connection between Paris and Rome, the Seine and the history of the French navy. The Statue of Liberty also symbolized the close historical relationship between France and the United States. These light images were part of a sequence comprising a total of 12 thematic scenes.

Before the fireworks, the Concert de Paris was held again beneath the Eiffel Tower. This classical concert has been part of the capital’s national holiday program for years and was also held on July 13 this year due to the schedule change. Attention then shifted to the lighting and fireworks images, which could be seen from wide areas of the Champ de Mars and the surrounding riverbanks.

The schedule change also required operational adjustments around the landmark. The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on July 13 for the installation and safety measures for the concert, drone show and fireworks. On July 14, the monument was expected to reopen to the public. The City of Paris also informed visitors about the changed schedule and access restrictions in the Champ de Mars area.

With the earlier celebration, Paris sent a message that it was clearly separating the festive program from national remembrance. The previous evening’s fireworks drew many people to the center of the capital. By contrast, Tuesday, July 14 focused on remembering the Nice terrorist attack, in which 86 people were killed on the Promenade des Anglais during the 2016 national holiday.