Grace

I've just noticed that may 1st is a holiday in France? Will shops and museums be closed?

Julie

Grace: <BR> Yes. The museums are closed and mnay shops and restaurants are closed or have shortened hours. I have been there several times before on 5/1 and did not have trouble finding places to eat,etc. There are many street vendors selling Lillies of the Valley so make sure to pick some up. Some shops are open but don'y plan on too many. Fodors Guide as well as the other guide books can give you good info. on holiday hours,etc.It is a good day to enjoy the jardin de tuilleries or luxembourg, have a picnic or take a boat trip on the canal st. martin or the seine.Enjoy!( you can email me directly if you have any more questions.)

Grace

Thanks Julie, <BR> <BR>As luck would have it, we're first timers and we only have 2 1/2 days in Paris.....one of those days being May 1st. Did you say that the Bateau Mouches are running on that day? Can we squeeze the Louvre, the Orsay, and The Rodin on on that one sunday? What about Notre Dame? The Eiffel Tower? <BR> <BR>Thank you, <BR> <BR>Grace

elvira

You can physically do the Louvre, d'Orsay and the Rodin in one day - but for your psyche, not a good idea. I love cramming my day full, but not with that many museums. <BR> <BR>When's your halfday? Is it your arrival day? If that is Saturday, 4/29, then do the Rodin and the Eiffel Tower that day. Sunday, do the Louvre and the d'Orsay (oh wear shoes with really cushiony soles. That much marble is deadly on your feet). On the holiday, Notre Dame and the Bateaux Mouche (the Seine River cruise - there's another company called Vedettes or something like that that's the same thing) and neighborhood wandering/park and garden visits as Julie suggested. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your visit - 2 1/2 days in Paris is a cruel CRUEL teaser!

Grace

<BR>That sounds like a good plan, Elvira. <BR> <BR>Yes, I know, we're doing the whirlwind style tour of France and Italy. I think I've already learned my lesson-next time, at least 4 full days in each big city! <BR> <BR>I'm going to print this thread out-Thanks to everyone that replies.

Linda

We went to Paris last year before and after a tour. We were so fortunate that we did all of our sight seeing the first week we were there (some of the museums are closed on Mondays) because on our return 2 weeks later there was a labor strike and everything was closed! <BR>There was some european religious holiday the following Monday so the people called a strike from Friday until Tuesday purposely to enjoy a long weekend...so be careful...they might just call a strike around Labor Day...the are also know to shut down the train system as well....Good Luck