What is the traditional firemen's ball held on Bastille Day called?

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What is the traditional firemen’s ball held on Bastille Day called? It is called the Bal des pompiers.

The French phrase literally means “firefighters’ ball.” Fire stations, especially those of the Paris Fire Brigade, open their courtyards or station grounds for public dance parties around France’s national celebration on 14 July. Many are held on the evening of 13 July and continue after midnight.

These events combine music, dancing, food, and a festive community atmosphere with the national holiday. Entry is often free or inexpensive, and stations may place a traditional donation barrel, called a tonneau, near the entrance. Donations can support firefighters’ charities or station-related causes.

The ball is not a ceremony commemorating the Bastille prison itself, nor is its standard name Bal de la Bastille. It is one of the popular traditions associated with the Fête nationale, alongside the military parade, fireworks, and public dances.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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