May 1 in Paris
 

Hello-

We'll be in Paris on May 1. I remember it being a holiday and the museums are closed - will everything else be closed? Shops, restaurants, etc? Any suggestions on what to do that day?

It's one of the biggest holidays in the entire world -- International Labor Day.

So, as it is a day for workers, many things will be closed as workers must be given that holiday off in many places. So lots of stores will also be closed, as well as the museums. I don't know about restaurants. I mean I certainly wouldn't worry that you won't be able to find a place to eat, there are always places open on every holiday. I'd probably walk around, spend time in parks, etc. Maybe visit some churches if that were on my agenda, as they should be open. I would probably even enjoy viewing some of the Labor Day activities, as I believe in labor activism and unions, and appreicate that labor is more important in Europe than in the US.

Shops pretty much all closed---even the Monoprix, etc. Many (though not all) restaurants will be open, so you won't starve.

And of course you'll have the fun of shopping for muguets, which are for sale just about everywhere.

Hi Parisinspring - we will be in Paris on May 1 too and are looking at that as an enjoy the ambiance of Paris day with walking around and exploration of neighborhoods with a lot of photography thrown in. We are also thinking of going out to Giverny as an alternative to the former since a visit is in our plans. According to their web page they appear to be open but we are a bit concerned that it will be overcrowded because of the holiday.

We were there last May 1st and what would be a wonderful way to spend the day IMO is to rent bikes and bike thru the city. There was much less traffic than normal - Fat Tire Bikes have hourly rentals for very cheap. Some restaurants were closed (and shops) but we did not go hungry - you may want to get a reservation tho or ask your hotel for suggestions. If you do plan to go to Giverney you may want to go with Fat Tire Bikes - they use an entrance for groups, no waiting. Otherwise there may be quite a line.

we were there last may 1 too. fyi, louis vins is open.

We were in Paris on May 1 several years ago and had a really nice day.

We started off by going to the Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning (really busy), then rode the Batobus for a bit.

We had lunch with my cousin who lives in the 6th, and she led us on a walk though her neighborhood. I especially liked walking through this park that was filled with families enjoying the holiday - I thought the kids with rented toy sailboats were especially cute.

That evening we did the Segway tour, which lasted until around 10 pm and we had a late dinner at a bistro nearby.

Walking and/or biking are excellent suggestions. The nearly no traffic everywhere is amazing.

Last year we tried the electric bicycle tour, which is more focused on neighborhoods and out of the way spots (than all the tourist sights). Fantastic!

Tourist restaurants will be open. The Eiffel Tower will be open. The Canauxrama canal boats and the Bâteaux-Mouches will be operating. Souvenir shops on rue de Rivoli, at Saint Michel and in Montmartre will be open. Churches will be open.

How about going to a movie if something you've been wanting to see is playing? It is a completely exotic experience compared to your own country. "VO" means that the movie is playing in the original language with French subtitles.

I have read that Notre Dame Cathedral is closed May 1st.

However, Chartres Cathedral appears to be open.

I assume the train out to Chartres would run on perhaps their holiday schedule or Sunday schedule?

And the gardens at Versailles appear to be open. Not the chateau, but the gardens (if they open the gate?).

I read on chowhound that many restaurants and supermarkets will even be closed.

Note to self: have the apartment well-stocked by Wednesday afternoon, just in case!

Notre Dame is open for worship or whatever people want to do inside the church part of the building.

The towers of Notre Dame are closed on May 1st, as they have nothing to do with religion and are a national monument.

I learned that the Monet home and Gardens in Giverny will be open May 1 but larger than normal crowds are indeed expected.

Where/when in central Paris will there be celebrations, parades, etc. on 1 May?

Generally the trade unions have a march from République to Bastille on May 1st. Does that qualify?

It's an interesting sight.

Along those same lines...I think I read someplace that because VE day (May 8)is a Thursday and Ascension is Sunday May 11th that a lot of people will be taking a long holiday weekend...does anyone know if that is true? and if so, will a lot of things be closed or will there be any interesting celebrations going in in Paris that we should know about?

Oh yes, zillions of people will be taking as much time off as possible then. However, it means that anything of interest to vacationers or long weekenders will be more open than ever -- and crowded as hell.

However, without checking your dates by looking at a calendar, I can absolutely tell you that Ascension is never on a Sunday -- it is always on a Thursday.

Sunday May 11 is Pentecost Sunday; May 1 is actually Ascension Day this year.

Kerouac, what is the latest on the status of Pentecost Sunday/Monday as holidays?

Thanks for clearing up the holidays for me...I had the 1st and the 11th confused. Will the 8th thru the 11ths still be considered a long holiday weekend with some things closed?

May I ask what "muguets" are?

Muguet = lily of the valley.
Sold traditionally in the streets on May 1st.