Hi,
I will be in Paris over the Easter holiday. I was tentatively planning on visiting Notre Dame on Good Friday. Is this a good idea? Are crowds unbelievably large on that day? Are there any processions or events I should attend that day? What goes on in Paris for Easter Sunday? Is everything opened? If anyone was in Paris last year for Easter, and could give me any information that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi K,

I'm not sure about Notre Dame, but the Eiffel tower was insanely crowded on Good Fri. last year--actually the whole weekend but I thought Fri was the worst.

I ended up at the Louvre on Easter Sun.-we didn't think it'd be open but we were strolling in the area and were happily surprised.

Maybe we were charmed, but overall there didn't seem to be any limitations to what we wanted to do b/c of the holiday.

We went to mass at ND on Good Friday in 1999, I think. I'm thinking it was 4 or 5ish in the afternoon. I don't recall the crowd, but we were able to get in. The most memorable part of the mass, besides the location, was the opportunity to observe (and kiss) the crown of thorns, encased in glass. Certainly there is some question about the authenticity of religious relics, but it was still special.

Thanks Lucygirl and Bitter. I did hear that the crown of thorns is at Notre Dame and on display every Friday during lent. I don't know how authentic it is, but I think it would be great to see.
Anyone else who has been to Paris over Easter, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks

I would think that Notre Dame would be very crowded at Easter. My best advice for Easter is to stay off the Champs Elysées. My husband and I walked up the Champs Elysées one Easter -- don't remember if it was Easter Sunday or Pâques Lundi, just that it was horribly crowded, and the buses didn't run regularly. The next time we went, we went to the Marais at the holiday, and that worked out great.

Sandy

Hi Ktyson, we will be in Paris that weekend as well, leaving on Easter Sunday. Does anyone know if the schedule for the buses to CDG will be affected? Also anyway to find out if our favorite organic market on the Blvd Raspail will be open that Sunday? Thanks.