I am currently planning a short city break for the Easter break and have almost decided on Paris. I've found great rates for flights and hotels on the net but before I book, does anyone know what Paris is like at Easter? I want to make sure it doesn't 'shut down' for the holidays. Is it recommended for Easter?

Paris never "shuts down".

It doesn't "shut down," but neither will everything be open. The French generally celebrate Easter, and Easter Monday, at home with their families. I've been in France, and Paris, a number of times on Easter, and it was pretty quiet compared to a "normal" day.

StCirq,

given that french families may be home celebrating, do you think easter sunday might be a less-crowded day at the cite des sciences? or will it be just as full with other vacationing families?

thanks,
melissa

meliss: My hunch is that Easter would be a good day to go to the Cités des Sciences. It doesn't strike me as a destination that many visiting French families would choose to go to on Easter, but that said, I've never been there myself on Easter. I have been there in high season in summer, and even then it wasn't horribly crowded - it's a big place, with lots of space around the exhibits.

I was in Paris with my sister over Easter last year. I had a list of things with me of things we wanted to see and looked up on the internet which days they were open...but honestly it turned out to be a non-issue.

Have fun!!!

duh,
just a list of things...that's all.

preview, always preview before posting!

Thanks lucygirl, any chance you can recommend a hotel? I want to stay near the Champs Elysees but I've recently heard some bad reports. Any ideas?

Our favorite hotel in Paris is the Sofitel le Parc on Ave. Raymond Poincare, just off the Place Victor Hugo. It's in the 16th, in one of the nicest residential areas in the entire city and a shortish (10-15 minutes) walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees (rack rates are between 450 and 500 euros per room *but* you can often find good deals for less than half that on the Sofitel or Accor Hotels web site--on our last stay there about a month ago, we paid 230 euros for a deluxe double). The Place Victor Hugo is one of my favorite places in Paris and if we ever move there (as we plan to do in about 5 years), that neighborhood will be on the top of our wish list. Lots of great cafes, shops, restaurants in the vicinity, easy access to everything, but off the usual tourist path.

Eiregal, I've been to Paris twice at Easter. I didn't have any problems. And it's a great time to see the Parisians celebrate a holiday, a wonderful time to go to churches.

Last year, I was there for Palm Sunday and saw a procession of folks going thru the Place du Parvis to Notre Dame. Utterly unexpected and completely wonderful! The following Sunday I went to Notre Dame for the Pacques celebration. It was really nice. The weather was grand that week, too, but I cannot guarantee the same for you.