Bal Des Pompiers or Fireman’s Ball became a static event on a calendar of many single women in Paris and beyond.
The event is well known in France, but has begun to attract international attention as muscular firefighters dancing in bars and pour shots of the past few years have been circulating on social media.
As the countdown follows this year’s fireworks, will Euroneus culture look into the party’s history and ask if it is really worth the hype?
Firefighter balls across France
Many of the online videos depict drunken parties at a Paris fire station, but the event is actually celebrated throughout France and attracts a diverse crowd.
The first firefighter’s ball is believed to have happened in 1937 by a relating person from France Bastille Day Parade We returned to the Montmartre station in Paris and followed the firefighters to continue the festival.
After the successful event, the idea spread within Paris, and eventually throughout France, with the ball still happening every year during Bastille Day (July 14th).
In Paris, this year’s event will be held primarily on Sunday, July 13th, with just a few events taking place at Arrondissement on the 6th and 18th, with Saturday, July 12th. Outside the capital, the scene is patchy and many events are cancelled due to rising temperatures.
Most balls start around 9pm (some start early at 6:30pm), but it’s worth arriving an hour early as some of the most popular places have large cues. The party will last until 4am throughout the night, so don’t worry if it takes a while.
What to expect from Bal Des Pompiers
The Bal Des Pompiers party is a free event, but we recommend making a donation upon arrival. There is the origin of the event Parisone of the largest firefighters in Europe, and is often used as a way to fundraise from local fire stations.
Most of the ball takes place in the fire station itself (Kaseln), but some districts employ nearby event spaces. Particularly exceptional Paris events previously hired Roman Arenas, old mansions, or elaborate courtyards.
Corine, 28, joined the firefighter ball at Monnay des Paris (French Mint) in 2023 (Unfortunately, Monnay des Paris has not held an event this year, but there are over 40 different balls.
“You will be amazed at the beauty of the place and the dedication of the firefighters to make it even more magical. A stage with some bars, lights everywhere, DJs.”
“The firefighters are extremely welcoming, obviously taking part in parties and having the best night of the year! You can find them at the bar and are ready to serve glasses of champagne, beer, wine and soft drinks,” added Colleen.
“But perhaps midnight, the crowds change and the experience isn’t that fun. There are a lot of people and everyone very intoxicating,” she explained, adding that for her, it indicates that it’s time to leave.
All over the country Lyonthe delight of the name Esther was not so impressed by the event.
“The firefighters stripped their clothes and gliding through the poles – they were obviously rehearsing their choreography – it was not only a bit fun, it was a bit sticky,” she told Euronows Culture.
This is not surprising as it is the atmosphere presented in a viral Instagram video. The atmosphere of the Bastille Day Magic Microphone really attracts many women to the party every year.
Esther continued to convey to the Euroneuz culture that at an event attended in the Perache area of Lyon, many teenagers were drawn to the event because they had no one under the age of 18 to check their IDs to attend the party.
On the other hand, in smaller communities, dates are used as more community parties rather than as a single woman’s soiree.
In Saint-Nicolas des Ports near Nancy in eastern France, local fire stations are promoting karaoke and Charcuterie board nights until 2:30pm.
Barra Lookle Bain on the South Coast has a set dinner menu, fireworks and DJs until 1am.
Haut-Vienne’s Peyrat-Le-Chateau will be holding snacks at Bastille Day events, including night markets, inflatables and live music at the Bastille Day event on July 14th.
If you’re fully dressed and prefer a more relaxed event, heading out of major cities is probably the best way to celebrate Val des Pompier this year.