The most popular public event of the year? Quite possibly. Dodgy French chanson + tipsy firemen = an unforgettable evening, and we’ve got all the details…

photo by franck_torralba used under cc licence

Yep, it’s already the bal populaires season! The 13th and 14th July are always a bit wild in France, and especially in Paris when fires stations are opened to the public for a couple of nights of rowdiness and tomfoolery. You’ll be force-fed music from the 40s or bombarded with cheap techno, but nobody goes for that: it’s all about ambiance and fun, so realx and go with the flow! Maybe some of the firemen will do the same…

Details of the 2009 lineup haven’t been released yet, but they will be shortly (we’ll keep you updated) and generally the programme is the same each year. Below you’ll find the details of last year’s events so you can get yoursefl organised.

So here’s the list of fire stations that will be open, and the details of what they’ll be offering. The listing will be updated very shortly. Have fun!

photo by tchuntfr used under cc licence

For all the details about the firemen’s balls all over Paris (including the striptease in the 20th arrondissement!) read on…

Paris 1er – Rousseau – 21 rue du Jour (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: group, DJ (one of the firemen!), champagne bar
Style: French ‘variété’ and current hits
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 4th arrondissement – Sévigné – 7 rue de Sévigné (map)

photo by philyook used under cc licence

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: orchestra in the courtyard, DJ inside (the DJ is one of the firemen!)
Style: very varied for the orchestra, the DJ will be playing club stuff
Entrance fee: 6 euros, which includes a free drink
Please note that this fire station is very small and very quickly full. Get there early!

Paris 6th arrondissement – Colombier – 11 rue du Vieux-Colombier (map)

photo: MorganeC

Paris 9th arrondissement – Blanche – 28 rue Blanche (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: tombola, music
Style: they’re not quite sure yet…
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 10th arrondissement – Château-Landon – 186 quai de Valmy (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: Starts 9pm
What’s on: special afternoon opening with kids activities. Orchestra in the evening
Style: French ‘variété’ et more current stuff
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 12th arrondissement – Chaligny – 57 boulevard Diderot / 26 rue Chaligny (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: The Orchestre Normandie will be playing, drinks, knock-em-down style country fair games…
Style: French ‘variété’
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 13th arrondissement – Port-Royal – 55 boulevard de Port-Royal (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: DJ
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 13th arrondissement – Masséna – 39 boulevard Masséna (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: should be starting 9pm
What’s on: they refused to answer any questions!
Style: they refused to answer any questions!
Entrance fee they refused to answer any questions! All we know is that everything is indoors, which could be handy if the weather turns nasty.

Paris 15th arrondissement – Grenelle – 6 place Violet (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: DJ (all styles), champagne bar, snacks
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 17th arrondissement – Champerret – 1 place Jules Renard (map)

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: very large fire station with an orchestra in the courtyard and DJ indoors
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 17th arrondissement – Boursault – 27 rue Boursault (map)

Dates: 13th July 2008 only
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
What’s on: An English rock group (!), tombola, bar
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 19th arrondissement – Bitche – 2 place de Bitche (map)

Dates: 13th July 2008 only
Opening hours: from 9pm to 4am
Style: French ‘variété’ and more current stuff
Entrance fee: free, but you’ll be asked to donate something

Paris 20th arrondissement – Ménilmontant – 47 rue Saint-Fargeau (map)

photo by hotzeplotz used under cc licence

Dates: 13th & 14th July
Opening hours: from 8pm – 4am
What’s on: tombola, bars, Firemen striptease show !!! Group or DJ (to be confirmed)
Entrance fee: 3 euros

photo by Aldor used under cc licence

For further information, you can try the official Paris Firemen site (but there’s really not much on there). Enjoy yourselves!