Is the Armada free?

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.

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.