Tickets & Costs
Is the Armada free?
Short answer: yes. Entry to the event and boarding the ships are free. Here's exactly what's free, what costs money, and whether you need a ticket.
Do you need a ticket?
No ticket is needed to attend. The Armada is free to enter — you simply walk onto the quays. There's no entry gate and no admission fee for the event itself.
What's free
- Access to the quays and the whole festival site.
- Boarding the ships — climbing aboard the tall ships is free throughout the event.
- The parades — the crew parade and the closing Grande Parade.
- Fireworks over the Seine on most evenings.
- Traditionally, the evening concerts have been free too (see the note below for 2027).
What costs money
- Seine cruises & boat trips — paid, and worth booking ahead. See cruises.
- Guided tours & experiences — optional paid extras. See experiences.
- Food & drink at the village and restaurants.
- Parking and some transport. See the parking guide.
- Accommodation — and this is where to plan early: rooms sell out. See where to stay.
One thing to watch for 2027: the concerts have always been free, but funding has been reduced this edition and organisers have discussed whether some concerts could become paid. Nothing is confirmed — join the list and we'll let you know as soon as it is.
So what should you budget for?
The event itself can cost you nothing. The real spend is accommodation (book early to avoid surge prices), plus any cruises, tours, food and travel. Want a plan built to your budget? Talk to our concierge team.
Plan With Confidence
Free to attend — easy to plan.
Join the list for the free planning guide, the 2027 programme, and a heads-up before rooms sell out.
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