Does anyone know if it would be risky to be out and about in Paris on May Day, maybe checking out the labor rallies and protests, and wandering around the city to get a slice of "real" life rather than just seeing tourist sites? We only have two days in Paris on an upcoming trip--one of them May Day--and I don't want to lose a precious day of our trip because of the political activities going on.

the rallies are localized and nothing to worry about - you really are worrying about nothing - this is not the 1960s and 70s and though there may be sizable protests at places they are not riots in any sense of the word.

A good day for strolling around as traffic is much less due to the holiday.

Risky? No, why? Boring maybe, but not risky.

no, but this is typical as that is kind of what Labor Day is all about. They happen every year. Mainly around place de la Republique, seems to me.

We were there on May Day once, and there was nothing risky or dangerous that we encountered. There was a rally that we approached, but the police ushered us around the rally. Shops, museums, and many restaurants were closed.

Stu Dudley

I, too, am making plans for May 1. Right now they include visiting the Mouzaia neighborhood, see kerouac's photos: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tern-paris.cfm
and hoping the nearby market at Pl. des Fetes is operating that day.

I also plan to try Shakespeare & Co.'s new cafe.

I missed the epic 1967 protests by a year, having hung out for 6 months the preceding one. While politics have never been a major mover for me, I'm still sorry my timing was so poor. Ah well, we take our opportunities when we get them, not as though we have any control.

The trade union march is about as scary and dangerous as an Easter parade. The route is lined with food trucks and barbecues, so there's no need to hunt for an open restaurant.

The route of the march is usually République > Bastille with an extension to Nation in important years. Lots of good photo ops. A few years ago I photographed another march, but not the one on May Day. This one took place in September: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...protest?page=1

I would expect intense security around those events this year- maybe the safest place in Paris!

Make sure you have some muguets de bois, c'est tout.

One year, 1968 I think, I was caught at Republique. I was very happy I was in a British car. Avoid that area, if you can.

Thanks for the replies. The pics/"documentary" were very informative, Kerouac. What led me to ask the question is increasing tensions in Europe around Syrian refugees, ISIS infiltration, and terrorism, leading me to wonder if this might be a prime day for a violence or a terrorist attack, since large groups will be congregated.

As a political junkie, I don't think it would be uninteresting to see the rallies. Just the opposite.

Based on the replies, it seems safe enough to be out and about and food carts are a plus! Looking forward to it. Thanks again!

Is May day the say that street vendors sell the little bundles of lilies of the valley flowers? We were in Paris for May Day about 10 years ago. I remember asking my friend that lives in Paris about the significance of the flowers but I just cannot remember.

I think it started with king Charles and a gift of lilies he was given on May 1st. We arrived on May 1st one time and the airport gave lilies to every lady getting off the plane. We saw them being sold by labor organizations that day. It was like a Sunday, very relaxing. We went into churches, markets and walked everywhere that day.

I suspect it started simply because they were reliably in bloom and cheap on May 1. Then co-opted by labor organizations because they were already traditional for the day/season.

Everybody is allowed to sell <i>muguet</i> (lily of the valley) on May 1st -- no permit required. It is sold mostly by Roma families and undocumented immigrants, as well as by the Red Cross, Amnesty International, WWF and the communist party. I don't I've ever seen a trade union selling it.

<i>I don't I've ever seen a trade union selling it.</i>

Add a "think" in that sentence please.

The only problem will be deviations in some bus routes and possibly some Metro stations might be closed during the demonstrations. So it's a good day to plan to get some exercise on foot - which is really just what the demonstrators are doing.

If anything will happen - and there's always a very slim chance some knucklehead will try to ruin things for everyone - it will be at the end of the route. But we're only talking about a drunk guy insulting a policeman, and who will be quickly whisked off to jail. It's probable that self-respecting terrorists will have bigger things in mind.

Buses run on Sunday/holiday schedules, which mean some don't run,mand there are cancellations near the route.

Some stuff will be closed, both sites and restaurants. Others will have holiday crowds. Check in advance. Are supermarkets on Sunday hours (I.e., closing at 1)? IIRC, most general shops have been closed.