Paris from May 1 - May 9 2008 - Will anything be closed?
 

We're arriving in Paris at 7am on May 1 and wondering about accessibility to ATMS and sites on that date. Will the ATMS be working on that day (I think I saw that the banks are closed). Will the museums and/or Versailles be open? How about the restaurants and other facilities. Also, are there any dates from May 1- May 9th that we will find our activities not possible due to holiday events or closures?

Hi

Traditionally quite a lot of things are closed on May 1st in Europe. But to be sure you should check out the attractions homepages. Here is my Paris trip report with pictures http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm and as you will see there are links to many of the attractions. ATM's normally work...even on public holidays :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Stores, museums, etc will be closed May 1. Good day to just wander around.

Stu Dudley

Holidays in France in May 2008

May 1 - 'Labour Day' AND most unusually, Thursday, Feast of the Ascension - so the French lose a day of holidays
Many things will be closed, but ATM's are usually stocked and accessible.

May 8 Victory Europe Day
May 11 - Sunday,Pentecost (Whitsun)
May 12 - Monday, called in France Monday of Pentecost, in England Whit Monday. Still some confusion in France as to whether this is still a holiday (It was, then it was supposed to be given up to help fund seniors residences, assistance, etc. This wasn't too popular, and the day given up was spread throughout the year, but most years there is still confusion on the Monday.)

Because Easter is so early, holidays that often fall at the end of May are at the beginning.

So are the restaurans open and will the metro and taxis be running?

The metro and taxis run every day of the year.

We will be there on May 1st too. According to their website it appears that the Monet House and Gardens in Giverny will be open May 1st, but it is not very clear. Does anyone know if indeed they will be open? If so, it would seem an ideal time to visit if the weather cooperates.

ttt

We were in Paris on May 8 and saw the tail end of a wonderful parade down the Champs Elysees in honor of Victory Day. We just happened upon this and wished we had seen the whole thing. I would make sure I was in the area in the morning.

We will be in Paris this coming
May 8th (2008).

Did the parade run the length of
the boulevard?

We're things open on that day???
Thanks

Doesn't anyone know if Monet's House and Gardens will be open May 1?

ttt
Still Tryin'

I agree, looking at the website it appears that it will be open. There is a link to send them an e-mail. It might be best to just ask them.

www.giverny.org

Thanks cls for the reply. I did email the website but still await their reply. I thought perhaps one of our French Fodorites might know.

I believe Giverny is unusual in that it opens every day, even holidays, during the period it is open--with the exception of its standard weekly closure day. I think it is open every holiday that isn't its normal closure day. Probably they do that because they do have a short opening season.

That giverny website listed above isn't the official website of the Monet Foundation. This one is and the page where they say they are open holidays.
http://www.fondation-monet.com/france/plan/index.html

Thank you Christina. That is an excellent site and It does appear that it will be open May1. Weather permitting, that could be a good time to visit although I would imagine there would be crowds since so much else is closed.

What they say on that website is:
La Fondation est ouverte du 1er avril au 31 octobre.
Tous les jours, sauf le lundi de 9h30 à 18h00.

Ouverture exceptionnelle tous les jours fériés et lundis fériés pendant cette période.
That is, they are open every day from 1st April to 31st October, except Mondays. However, if Monday is holiday, they will open on Monday also

Since May 1st is a Thursday, it seems as if they will be open that day.

May 8 is a wonderful day to experience Paris. Watch the parade and make sure you visit the Arc de Triomphe that day or the next day to view the massive French flag flying inside the arc.
It's also a joy just to watch Parisian families enjoying the day just strolling the parks, avenues and streets of the city.

So do you think that the Paris Walks will be touring on May 1 and May 8?

Topping this for you. Did you try e-mailing them? I believe there is a "contact us" link on their page.

Gregbo: The parade started at the Arc de Triomphe (closed during the parade) and ran the down the Champs Elysees. After the parade the Arc opened and the shops were all opened.

PWAbbott - My thanks for that information. May I ask if you know if it is possible to go up to the top of the Arc before the parade and view it from there?
Much obliged.

Tod:I don't think so. We did not know about the parade and tried to take the metro to the Arc station and had to get off one stop before that because the Arc was closed during the parade. Lots of security issues in this post 9/11 world. There were all kinds of diplomats from other countries and the French president laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I'm almost positive that you cannot watch the parade from the top of the arc. (Obviously, if that was possible, keep in mind that there'd be a very long line waiting to get up there, so you chances of getting up there would have been slim unless you went in line many hours earlier. However, it's all academic since you can't get up there!)
Just make sure you walk to and thru the arc that day or the next one. The massive flag that hangs under the arc on those days is only there at that time and one other time during the year. (I forget what the other occasion is.)