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Day 1
Arrive in Paris (Sat Jul 11)
Settle into a central arrondissement, walk the Seine, and scout parade viewpoints near the Champs-Élysées for the 14th.
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Why this idea works
- Champs-Élysées military parade on the morning of July 14
- Eiffel Tower fireworks on Bastille Day evening
- Peak-bloom lavender fields around the Luberon
- Firefighters' balls and village fêtes on July 13
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 2
Paris highlights (Sun Jul 12)
Museums in the morning, Montmartre in the afternoon. Catch a firefighters' ball (bal des pompiers) in the evening as the city warms up for the holiday.
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Day 3
TGV south to Provence (Mon Jul 13)
Take a morning TGV to Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Explore markets, hilltop villages, and lavender fields; enjoy a village fireworks display tonight.
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Day 4
Bastille Day in Provence (Tue Jul 14)
Leisurely Provençal morning, then either stay for regional festivities or return to Paris for the Eiffel Tower fireworks finale.
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Practical tips
Transport: Book SNCF TGV tickets weeks ahead — Bastille week sells out fast.
Stay area: Stay central in Paris (1st–7th arrondissements); in Provence, base in Aix or Avignon.
Booking: Reserve the bridge day (Mon Jul 13) as leave early, and lock hotels by spring 2026.
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