July 14 : Bastille Day in Marseille

Every year, the people of Marseille and visitors to the city gather in the streets and on the Vieux-Port to celebrate the national holiday. Evenings are organized to ensure front-row seats for the unmissable fireworks display, fired as usual over the Vieux-Port and Fort d’Entrecasteaux. Let’s just hope the Mistral doesn’t get in the way this year!

Published on 7 July 2024

The military parade

This year, the military ceremony kicks off at 17:00 on the Old Port.

6:15pm – Start of the flypast
Gendarmerie Nationale search and rescue helicopters.
In-flight refueling, passenger and cargo aircraft. Medical evacuations.

18h20 – Start of the march past on foot

18h40 – Motorcade begins

18h55 – Tandem jump by the 11th parachute brigade.
4 parachutists will jump over the Vieux-Port with the French flag, the flag of the city of Marseille, the OM flag and the flag of the 11th brigade.

7.10pm – End of parade
A singer, Barbara Bourdarel, will perform “La Marseillaise” with the EMD and 503e RT brass bands.

Find out more about the parades

Detail of the parade on foot on the Old Port
The parade will feature brass bands from the Draguignan military academy and the 503rd Train Regiment from Nîmes.
– Marseille Marine Fire Brigade Battalion
– Cadet and young firefighters
– National Gendarmerie
– Draguignan military academy
– Cynotechnical teams
– 4th Regiment of Chasseurs
– 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment
– La Fayette frigate Courbet
– Marseille and Aix-en-Provence naval training facilities
– Air Force Base 701 at Salon-de-Provence and École de l’Air et de l’Espace
– Army Health Service
– Unité d’instruction et d’intervention de Sécurité civile n° 7 (Civil Security training and intervention unit no. 7)
– École nationale supérieure des officiers de sapeurs-pompiers (National School for Fire Brigade Officers)
– Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Fire and Rescue Service
– Marseille Inter-regional Prison Services Department
– Marseille Inter-regional Customs Department
– Municipal Police and Security Department
– Établissement pour l’Insertion dans l’Emploi (EPIDE) Marseilles
– Volunteer Military Service (SMV) – Marseille branch
– The pioneers of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
– The 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
Detail of the motorcade on the Old Port
– Republican Guard
– Gendarmerie (motorcycle, 4×4 armored vehicles)
– 1st Regiment of African Chasseurs
– 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
– 4th Regiment of Chasseurs
– 4th Equipment Regiment
– National Police
– CRS
– Municipal police
– Direction générale des Douanes et droits indirects (Motorcycle, scanner truck)
– Marseille Interregional Prison Services Department
– Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Fire and Rescue Service
– Marseille Fire Brigade Battalion
– 11th Parachute Brigade

Fireworks

This year, the town promises an exceptional fireworks display. Fired as every year from the Old Port and Fort d’Entrecasteaux, spectators will be treated to a majestic fireworks display accompanied by a soundtrack for almost 30 minutes.
The fireworks will start at dusk, around 10:30pm. The Old Port will be completely pedestrianized, and the Pharo Gardens will be exceptionally open from 7pm.
To limit the impact on the environment, the parts used to package the fireworks are made from biodegradable materials (paper, cardboard, felt).

Best spots to see the fireworks

Did you know?

The first fireworks display in Europe took place in 1612 on the Place des Vosges in Paris, for the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
It wasn’t until 1880 that it became the flagship event of the July 14th festivities.

Evening events

On a boat

The Localanque shipping company is offering an unforgettable private evening aboard one of its quayside boats, located between the town hall and the Mucem, giving you a front-row seat for the fireworks. Borderline and Croisières Marseille Calanques invite you to come aboard the Illienne and set sail for an evening of concerts, DJ sets and fireworks!

Party on

Several venues welcome you to celebrate our national holiday in style, with music and fireworks to keep the party going! Ciel Rooftop offers an unforgettable evening with DJ set and cocktail reception, starting at 7pm. An evening on the R2 Rooftop on the Port terraces, from 7pm! The large halls of the Old Port are decked out in blue, white and red, and await you to celebrate our national holiday and the launch of the local beer “La Phocéenne”. Cocktails and good spirits will be the watchwords of the evening!

At the hotel

The Sofitel Vieux-Portoffers you an exceptional evening with a breathtaking view of the Vieux-Port, at the bar, in the brasserie or in your room with terrace, you’ll be right in front of the show.

Parking and traffic

Traffic and parking constraints in the city center and around the Old Port.
Priority should be given to public transport.

Please note! In the event of strong winds or rain, the fireworks may be postponed.

A large-scale security operation will be deployed all around the Old Port. Traffic will be cut off and parking prohibited. We recommend that you use public transport or walk to the event wherever possible.

Live Marseille!