Fête Nationale de Montgeron

The National Holiday in Montgeron: tradition, flames, and fireworks

Montgeron, a town of 24,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Yerres river in Essonne, organizes a carefully curated National Holiday each year that respects the great republican traditions. The evening of July 13th is designed to be a moment of sharing and conviviality for all Monteronnais, with a series of events culminating in the fireworks display at the Plaine de Chalandray.

The torchlight procession: a moment of nocturnal magic

At 9:00 PM, the evening begins with the distribution of torches in front of the Carré d'Art, Montgeron's cultural and artistic center. This symbolic place, dedicated to artistic creation and culture, becomes the starting point for a luminous procession that winds through the town's streets to the Plaine de Chalandray.

The torchlight procession is one of the most anticipated and moving moments of the evening. Residents of all ages, carrying their torches or colorful lanterns, form a luminous procession that undulates through the streets of Montgeron. This nocturnal procession, a true republican ritual, creates a unique communion among the inhabitants and recalls the founding moments of the French Revolution.

Fireworks at the Plaine de Chalandray

At 11:00 PM, the procession arrives at the Plaine de Chalandray, a vast natural area on the edge of the commune, offering an ideal setting for the pyrotechnic show. The fireworks display then illuminates the night sky with luminous bursts, colorful chrysanthemums, and special effects that delight the pyrotechnicians each year. The plain allows a large audience to settle comfortably and admire the show from all angles.

The location of the Plaine de Chalandray, relatively far from dense housing, allows for significant pyrotechnic displays that offer a particularly wide visual spectacle. The starry summer night and the coolness of the plain add to the magic of the moment.

The popular ball with TeamRock

After the grand finale of the fireworks, the celebration continues with the popular ball hosted by the band TeamRock. This live music group offers a repertoire of rock, pop, and variety covers that gets dancers moving until the end of the evening. In good spirits and the warmth of the summer night, the Monteronnais extend their republican communion to the sound of music.

Montgeron, town of the Tour de France and sports

Montgeron is a town that loves collective events: it gained international fame as the starting town for the first Tour de France cycling race in 1903. It was indeed from the "Réveil Matin" café-restaurant in Montgeron that the first 60 cyclists set off on July 1st, 1903, for the first grand Tour de France. A commemorative plaque recalls this historic event, and the town is regularly a stage or starting point for the modern Tour de France.

This sporting and popular tradition is reflected in the way the town organizes its collective events, including the National Holiday, designed to bring residents together in a spirit of sharing and self-improvement.