Every year, Paris lights up the sky above the Eiffel Tower for its famous fireworks. This year, the show came with a twist — 1,600 drones illuminating the night. I went to film the whole experience for you, from the endless queue at the entrance to the chaos of getting home afterward. Here’s how the night really went.
Arriving at the Eiffel Tower
I arrived at the Champ de Mars for the celebration. This year was special: instead of the usual 14th of July, the show took place on the 13th, marking 10 years of remembrance and celebrating France’s friendship with Rome. Each year a different country or city is honored — last year it was Brazil. The plan for the night was a firework show combined with a display of 1,600 drones, up from 1,000 the year before.
The Endless Queues
The first challenge was simply getting in. Queues everywhere — one here, one there, one behind the building. It was impossible to tell where any of them started or ended. With fireworks scheduled for 11:00 p.m. and me arriving around 8:30, there was still time, but the crowds were overwhelming.
Camera Stick Drama at Security
Security wouldn’t let me in with my selfie stick and camera. Throwing away a stick I paid 20 or 30 euros for wasn’t an option, so I hid it in my bag and tried a different entrance. Luck was on my side — the security did an “arch” with their hands and let us through. They noticed the stabilizer but didn’t even know what it was, and they never found the stick.
Inside the Champ de Mars
Once inside, the strategy became clear: sit and wait with the picnicking crowds until 11:00 p.m., then move to the middle once everyone stands up. It was a hot day in Paris, around 33-34°C, so I refilled my water bottle at a fountain. Because of the heatwave, the whole event was alcohol-free — the first time I saw people in Paris partying and having fun completely sober.
Food, Prices, and People
Food came with its own giant queue, but the prices weren’t bad for such a big event — ice cream and drinks for €5 to €6. While waiting, I talked to people from all over the world: students from India, visitors from Spain, Boston, London, and the south of France.
A recurring theme in every conversation was the cliché that Parisians are rude and unfriendly. Almost everyone said the same thing: once you actually come to Paris, people are kind and helpful — as long as you don’t bother them in the metro on their way to or from work. One student from India offered the best advice for anyone moving here: learn French, it helps you integrate and have more fun.
The Firework and Drone Show
Finally, showtime. The show mixed fireworks with the drone display, set to music — including a K-pop moment with Blackpink’s “Bboom Bboom” and a magical closing with an Aichi song. The crowd loved it. When I asked people for one word to describe it, the answers came fast: “Amazing.” “Incredible.” “The most beautiful drone show I’ve ever seen.” Many said the very last set of sparkling fireworks was their favorite part.
My Honest Review
The drone show was genuinely impressive. My one tip: film it from further away, because from inside the Champ de Mars the drones blend into the Eiffel Tower — from a distance you could see both the fireworks on the tower and the drones beside it.
The downside? Like last year, the show only lasted about 20 minutes instead of the usual 30, and it started late — around 11:15 instead of 11:00. The ending felt abrupt, with no big closing song before the lights came back on.
Post-Show Metro Chaos
The night was far from over. As always, the nearby metro stations were closed, and the crowds were massive. It started to rain — heavily — after a day of intense heat. Only one door was open at some stations “for 100,000 people,” and it genuinely felt like being stuck in jail. The McDonald’s line stretched forever, people were exhausted, and Ubers were the only escape for those who could afford them.
After walking, waiting, and following the crowds from one closed station to the next, I finally made it onto a metro past midnight.
The Real Takeaway
Here’s the honest reality: to film 20 minutes of fireworks, you arrive two hours early, wait two hours to get home, and sit through two more hours of waiting inside the venue. That’s about four hours in transport for a 20-minute show. It’s a struggle — but it’s part of the Paris experience, and I wanted to show you the whole journey, not just the pretty part.
That’s it for this special coverage of the Paris fireworks 2026. My name is Joe, and I make videos about the Paris tourists never see — and sometimes the Paris that even Parisians forget. See you in the next vlog.
