Fête Nationale de Courbevoie

The National Holiday in Courbevoie: Between Tradition and Pyrotechnic Spectacle

Courbevoie, a town in the Hauts-de-Seine department in the heart of the La Défense district, annually honors the National Holiday of July 14th with a festive program that blends popular traditions and an exceptional pyrotechnic show. The evening traditionally takes place on July 13th at Parc de Bécon, one of the town's green lungs, before the Seine's sky ignites at midnight.

An Afternoon and Evening of Festivities at Parc de Bécon

Starting at 4:30 PM, Parc de Bécon transforms into a festive and family-friendly space. Activities for children, popular games, and sports activities kick off the festivities. A lively guinguette invites dancing: at 7 PM, dancers offer the public dances from the era, transporting attendees back to the atmosphere of popular balls from the early 20th century. At 8 PM, an official ball takes over with a DJ set and live musicians for a dancing evening open to all.

Food and drink stalls allow families to enjoy the park throughout the evening in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The guinguette ambiance, with its tricolor lanterns and summer decorations, evokes the great neighborhood festivals of yesteryear.

The Fireworks: A Spectacle Above the Seine

At 11 PM, the Pont de Levallois—closed to traffic since the morning of July 13th—is the starting point for a themed fireworks display co-organized by Courbevoie and Levallois-Perret. The two towns have joined forces for several years to offer their residents and visitors a high-quality pyrotechnic show, with a theme renewed each year.

The 2025 edition featured a cinema-themed show, with a ballet of rockets and visual effects inspired by the great works of the 7th art. The best views are from the Courbevoie quays, about 150 meters upstream and downstream from the bridge, on the Quai du Maréchal Joffre, which offers a direct panorama of the firing site above the river.

La Défense, its Lights, and the Seine: A Unique Setting

Courbevoie benefits from an exceptional geographical location between the La Défense business district and the banks of the Seine. On the night of July 14th, the silhouette of the illuminated La Défense towers in the background of the fireworks creates a striking contrast between architectural modernity and republican tradition. This unique setting has no equivalent in the entire Hauts-de-Seine department.

An Intergenerational and Free Event

The Fête Nationale de Courbevoie is resolutely intergenerational: the dances of the era appeal to older generations, sports and music activities attract young people, and the fireworks make everyone's eyes shine. The free nature of all the festivities ensures that every Courbevoisian can participate in this republican celebration, regardless of their means.