Parking is prohibited or restricted on the following roads: From 10.00 pm on Sunday 12 July to 8.00 pm on Tuesday 14 July In the areas of Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges, Quai du Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde From 10.00 pm on Monday 13 July to 3.00 am on Wednesday 15 July 5 to 9 Rue de l’Observance (spaces opposite the Crèche de la Major), car park on the corner of Rue du Timon and Rue de la Vieille Tour (opposite the Panier boules court)

Traffic prohibited or restricted on the following roads From Monday 13 July at 6.30 pm to Tuesday 14 July at 1 am Areas: Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges, Quai du Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde – closure of the Vieux-Port tunnel and the J2 slip road towards Quai Rive-Neuve from the Prado Carénage tunnel. On Monday 13 July from 9.30 pm to 11 pm: Pedestrian access will be closed in the Charles Livon area within the traffic-restricted zone. From Tuesday 14 July at 9.30 am until Tuesday 14 July at 10 pm Areas around Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges and Quai du Port: closure of Avenue de Saint-Jean from Henri Tasso onwards (no access via Boulevard Saadé) Closure of the Centre-Ville/Préfecture and Panier exits, and the slip road leading to Quai Rive-Neuve from the Vieux Port tunnel (further details to follow).

13 and 14 July

National Day in Marseille

Every year, the people of Marseille and visitors gather in the city’s streets and at the Vieux-Port to celebrate the national holiday. Events are organised to give people a front-row view of the unmissable fireworks display, which, as usual, over the Vieux-Port and Fort d’Entrecasteaux – let’s just hope the Mistral doesn’t crash the party this year!

Updated on 13 July 2026

The Fireworks Display

Monday 13 July 2026

Exceptionally this year, the traditional National Day fireworks display will take place on Monday 13 July. The City of Marseille promises a spectacular display, as it does every year, with nearly 30 minutes of pyrotechnics accompanied by a soundtrack. Fired from the Vieux-Port and Fort d’Entrecasteaux, it will light up the Marseille sky to the delight of spectators.

The display will begin at nightfall, around 10.30 pm. For the occasion, the Vieux-Port will be entirely pedestrianised, and the Jardin du Pharo will open its gates exceptionally from 6 pm to offer a prime vantage point. However, access to the garden will be limited to 5,000 people for safety reasons, with checks at the entrance.

Traffic restrictions will be in place from the evening of Sunday 12 July, and the Old Port will be entirely reserved for pedestrians for the duration of the evening. Local residents will be informed in advance. Please also note that the Old Port summer market will close exceptionally at 6 pm on 13 July.

Best spots for watching the fireworks

The Military Parade

Tuesday 14 July 2026

This year, the military ceremony will begin at 5.00 pm at the Vieux-Port. The parade will start at the Quai de Rive Neuve and proceed towards the J4-Gisèle Halimi esplanade.

The official ceremony will open with the presentation of the standard, followed by the inspection of the troops and the presentation of decorations. The skies over Marseille will then host an air show featuring several units of the French army, as well as a parachute display.

The parade will then bring together numerous units on foot and in vehicles, including the Marseille Marine Fire Brigade, the Municipal Police and its mounted brigade.

Throughout the ceremony, military bands will set the pace by performing a repertoire of military and popular music, before concluding with the iconic ‘La Marseillaise’.

Did you know?

The first fireworks display in Europe took place in 1612 on the Place des Vosges in Paris, to mark the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
It was not until 1880 that it became the centrepiece of the 14 July celebrations.

Parking and traffic

To ensure the smooth running of the festivities on 13 and 14 July, traffic restrictions will come into force from 6.30 pm on Monday 13 July, and parking restrictions will be in place from the evening of 12 July.
Public transport is recommended.

parking
Parking is prohibited or restricted on the following roads:
From 10.00 pm on Sunday 12 July to 8.00 pm on Tuesday 14 July
In the areas of Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges, Quai du Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde
From 10.00 pm on Monday 13 July to 3.00 am on Wednesday 15 July
5 to 9 Rue de l’Observance (spaces opposite the Crèche de la Major), car park on the corner of Rue du Timon and Rue de la Vieille Tour (opposite the Panier boules court)
Traffic
Traffic prohibited or restricted on the following roads
From Monday 13 July at 6.30 pm to Tuesday 14 July at 1 am
Areas: Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges, Quai du Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde – closure of the Vieux-Port tunnel and the J2 slip road towards Quai Rive-Neuve from the Prado Carénage tunnel.
On Monday 13 July from 9.30 pm to 11 pm: Pedestrian access will be closed in the Charles Livon area within the traffic-restricted zone.
From Tuesday 14 July at 9.30 am until Tuesday 14 July at 10 pm
Areas around Quai de Rive-Neuve, Quai des Belges and Quai du Port: closure of Avenue de Saint-Jean from Henri Tasso onwards (no access via Boulevard Saadé)
Closure of the Centre-Ville/Préfecture and Panier exits, and the slip road leading to Quai Rive-Neuve from the Vieux Port tunnel (further details to follow).

Please note! In the event of strong winds or rain, the fireworks display may be postponed

Extensive security measures will be in place around the Old Port. Roads will be closed and parking prohibited. We recommend using public transport or walking wherever possible.

Experience Marseille!