SAdamsrec

We are about to plan a 10-14 day trip to France for May or June 2008, at least a week of which will be in Paris. How important is it for me to try to schedule around the national holidays?

dgassa

We were there last year at that time. I was not a problem. In fact we were in Normandy on VE day and it was great to see all the French at the different D-day beaches. You can read about it here:

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1259

and see photos here:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...p;conn_speed=1

dgassa

I should add that we did not have a problem buying gas on either May 1st or VE day. We also found a supermarket open, as was most eating establishments. Lots of French tourist though on VE day.

Underhill

The May holidays can be a problem is you want to visit museums and such and if you need to go inside a bank. If you plan your itinerary carefully you should be able to avoid most problems, but if you're driving be sure to fill up with gas the day before a holiday. American credit cards won't work in unmanned stations.

kerouac

May 8th is not a problem -- most commerces are open as usual now (this was not true 10 years ago). May 1st is a different matter entirely, but still not much of a problem to find restaurants that are open.