Bastille Day at the Kitsch Inn, Les Houches

Bastille Celebrations in Chamonix Valley

Fireworks, concerts & parades to mark France's national holiday

featured in News & Reviews Author Alison Shayler, Chamonix Reporter Updated 12 July 2016

Bastille Day is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in France, with the whole country taking a day off work to commemorate the historic event that started the French Revolution.

14th July is a national holiday across France, known as Bastille Day in honour of the famous "Storming of the Bastille", an event that took place in 1789 when the people of Paris fought their way into a fortress where many prisoners where held, in protest against the French monarchy.

Here in Chamonix the celebrations start 2 days early on the evening of the 12th July (tonight) with a big firework display to coincide with the end of the climbing world cup.

The rest of the valley gets involved over the next few days, with events taking place in Argentiere, Les Houches, Servoz and Vallorcine. Here's the full schedule:

12th July - Chamonix

21:00 Finals of the Climbing World Cup
22:00 Fireworks over Place du Mont Blanc, snack stalls and beer tents

13th July - Chamonix

17:00 Cham Sud En Fete, street party in Chamonix Sud with live music and DJs

13th July - Argentiere

18:00 Food stalls and Alpine horns
19:00 Tartiflette from the Club des Sports
20:00 - 22:30 Free concert with DIEZEL
22:00 Firework display
23:00 DJ concerts

13th July - Servoz

18:00 Concert with the Swing Marmottes, food stalls and firework display

14th July - Chamonix centre

11:00 Military parade near the Mairie / Tourist office

14th July - Les Houches

16:00 Bouncy castles and games for children at Lac des Chavants
17:00 Bastille Day at the Kitsch Inn; live music, drinks, food and fireworks at the foot of the Bellevue cable car
20:00 Free concert with l'Echo des Glaciers, food stands at Lac des Chavants
22:15 Fireworks and dancing at Lac des Chavants

14th July - Vallorcine