Cancelled for the past two years, this is one of our favourite annual events in Paris – to celebrate Bastille Day, numerous Parisian fire stations open up to the public for huge parties that go on until 4am!

It’s your chance to dance with a fireman, cringe at the music and generally have a good time, and this year there are lots of parties not far from our hotels!

Here are all the details…

OK, so first things first – Bastille Day is 14th July, but you might not know that the vast majority of firemen’s balls are actually held the night before, i.e. Wednesday 13th July 2022. All the balls have the same opening hours (9pm – 4am) and they can get really busy, so expect to queue (and then spend 40€ on a dodgy bottle of champagne).

The number of balls changes slightly every year, but the venues generally remain the same. However, there is one new venue this year, with a ball being held on the 13th July at the Monnaie de Paris (here), not far from the Hotel Saint-André des Arts!

You should also know that despite being announced as ‘free’, there’s always a barrel at the entrance of each ball where it is more or less expected that you donate a coin or two (or a note if you’re feeling generous) to support the Paris fire brigade.

There are three other balls on the Left Bank to choose from on the 13th July:

— Colombier (here), our favourite (always a good time, in a large courtyard),

— Grenelle, in the 15th arrondissement (here), not far from the Hotel & Spa la Belle Juliette, and

— Masséna, in the 13th arrondissement (here).

And of course, other balls are happening on the other side of the Seine, if you fancy going further afield (details here).

In 2019, there was only one firemen’s ball on the 14th July itself, but this year there are two, and one of them is on the Left Bank!

So put on your dancing shoes and head over to Port Royal (here), near the Hotel les Dames du Panthéon, Hotel Design Sorbonne and Hotel des Grands Hommes.

It’s even possible to get to see the fireworks display near the Eiffel Tower and then go to the ball afterwards! Definitely a memorable evening…

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The firemen’s balls are being held in Paris on the 13th & 14th July 2022 from 9pm – 4am

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Pour trouver un bal près de chez vous 👇https://t.co/Ls6cq7diNs

— @PompiersParis (@PompiersParis) July 11, 2022