All Saints’ Day in France
 

We'll be in Paris on All Saints’ Day (Nov 1st, 2008). Does anyone know if stores/museums/restaurants are going to be closed?

Would we be better off to go away to Belgium during that time, or would the trains be very busy? Does Belgium celebrate All Saints' Day?

Thanks for your help!

Topussaint is a national holiday in both France and Belgium, and yes, things will be closed. You should Google to find out if specific things you are planning to visit will be closed.

Sorry, that should be Toussaint.

Thanks for the info! Maybe that is the day (around mid-trip) that we should just stay put and relax...

You can always take a walking tour with Paris Walks. They operate walks on most holidays.

http://www.paris-walks.com/

Or explore some churches. I can't imagine they would be closed.

Try Place des Vosges in the Marais. I was there one May Day and there was a lot of activity, people walking around and buskers for entertainment. One of the Paris Walks on Saturdays is the Marais and they end near Place des Vosges.

Well, it would be a great day to visit Père Lachaise cemetery, or the cemetery in Montmartre.

I don't know customs in Belgium, but wouldn't worry about it much for Paris. Yes, it is an official holiday but it isn't one of the most major ones where museums and everything typically close (which are mainly Christmas, New YEars and May 1st). Both the Louvre and Orsay museums are open on Nov. 1st, for example, and I imagine many others will be also. Large stores may be closed, but I wouldn't expect it to be a major problem for you in any other way.