ADVERTISEMENTBal des Pompiers or the Fireman’s Ball has become a fixed event in the calendar of many single women in Paris and beyond.
Whilst the event is well known in France, as videos have circulated on social media over the past few years of topless, muscular firemen dancing on bars and pouring shots, it’s begun to attract international attention, and mine.
As the countdown continues to this year’s fireworks, Euronews Culture takes a look into the history of the party and asks if it’s really worth the hype?
The Fireman’s Ball across France
While many of the videos online depict wild, drunken parties in fire stations across Paris, the event is actually celebrated across the entirety of France and attracts a diverse crowd.
The very first Fireman’s Ball is believed to have taken place in 1937 when revellers from France’s Bastille Day parade followed firefighters back to a station in Montmartre, Paris to continue the festivities.
After the success of the event, the idea spread within Paris and eventually across the whole of France, with balls still taking place annually around Bastille Day (14 July).
In Paris, this year’s events are mainly taking place on Sunday 13 July, with just a few events, in the 6th and 18th arrondissement, opting for Saturday 12 July. Outside the capital, the scene is patchy with many events cancelled due to the soaring temperatures.
Although most balls start around 9pm (some begin earlier from 6:30pm), it’s worth arriving one hour early as some of the most popular locations have big queues. Don’t worry if it takes a while to get in as the parties continue through the night until 4am.
What to expect at Bal des Pompiers
Bal des Pompiers parties are free events but it is recommended to give a donation upon arrival. The event’s origins are in Paris, home to one of the largest fire brigades in Europe and are often used as a way to fundraise for local fire stations.
The vast majority of the balls take place in the fire stations themselves (casernes) but some districts hire nearby event spaces – some particularly extraordinary Paris events have previously hired Roman arenas, old mansions or elaborate courtyards.
28-year-old Coline attended the Fireman’s Ball at the Monnaie de Paris (France’s Mint) in 2023. (Unfortunately, the Monnaie de Paris is not hosting an event this year but there are over 40 different balls to choose from across Ile-de-France.)
“You’ll likely be dazzled by the beauty of the place and the firefighters’ dedication to making it even more magical: several bars, lights everywhere, a stage with a DJ,” she told Euronews Culture.
“The firefighters are super welcoming and are clearly there to party and have the best night of the year! You’ll find them at the bar, ready to serve you glasses of champagne, beer, wine, and soft drinks,” Coline added.
“However, after a certain hour, probably midnight, the crowd changes, and the experience is less pleasant: big crowds and everyone is very drunk,” she explained, adding that, for her, it signals that it’s time to leave.
Across the country in Lyon, a reveller named Estelle was less impressed by the event.
“It’s firemen stripping off their clothes, gliding down poles – they had clearly rehearsed their choreography – it’s kind of fun but also a bit tacky,” she told Euronews Culture.
This comes as no surprise as it’s exactly the vibe presented by the viral Instagram videos. The Bastille-Day-Magic-Mike ambience is exactly what draws many women to the parties year after year.
Estelle went on to tell Euronews Culture that at the event she attended in the Perrache area of Lyon there were lots of teenagers, under the age of 18, attracted to the event because there was no one checking IDs to enter the party.
Meanwhile, in smaller communities, the date is used as much more of a community party, rather than a single ladies soirée.
In Saint-Nicholas-de-Port, near Nancy in eastern France, the local fire station is advertising an evening of karaoke and charcuterie boards until 22:30pm.
Balaruc-les-Bains on the south coast has a set dinner menu, fireworks and DJs until 1am.
In Peyrat-le-Chateau in Haut-Vienne, firemen are hosting the refreshments at the Bastille Day events on 14 July which include a night market, inflatables and live music.
So if you like your firemen fully clothed and a more relaxed affair, perhaps heading outside of the major cities is the best way to celebrate Bal de Pompiers this year.
