VolGreg

Need your help Fodorites;

According to Fodor's desination guide, May is an excellent month to go to Paris. We are planning to travel on May 1st (May Day) and arrive on the 2nd in Paris, but VE Day (May 8) will occur in the middle of our vacation. Will most or some of Paris open on VE Day?

Thanks
Greg

ira

HI VG,

You will also have Pentecost, May 11 and Whitmonday, May 12.

Also, early May can be quite chilly.

Can you move your dates to 2 weeks later?

Christina

Paris doesn't close down because of VE day. Of course most of it will be open. Avoiding May 1st is a good idea, but don't worry about VE day. It really won't be that different from a Sunday.

lucygirl

I'm afraid I have to disagree with Ira about the weather. You take your chances no matter what. I was there in April a few years ago and it was gorgeous. I was there the last 2 weeks in May this year and was sopping wet and froze every day except for two. I say just prepare for a little of every season.

VolGreg

Again Fodorites deliver.

Here is our itinerary:
Fly May 1st
Arrive May 2nd then to Normandy
May 5th to Paris stay for 6 Nights(5,6,7,8,9,10)
Leave on May 11th to the good ole USA, but this is Pentecost so I wonder about transportation to the airport… Would this be OK?

If we change this is seem we would have to move it up a week or back 2 weeks.

Thanks
Greg

hopingtotravel

Chilly, maybe, but in April 2005 we got sunburned walking around Paris.

UNCalum

I was in Paris mid-March, and the weather was sunny and warm. When I returned at the end of May, it was chilly and wet. I would suggest taking a light, waterproof jacket and being prepared to layer underneath as needed. Trying to reschedule for good weather is probably futile.

blh

We did basically the same itinerary this year from April 27 to May 12. We were in Normandy and Brittany for a week and in Paris for a week. The weather was wonderful! It had been hot before we arrived and was cold after we left! (Backwards!) So I don't think you can count on the weather, but just plan for anything by layering. We wore light jackets in the morning and evening and lightweight clothing during the day. We were very comfortable - didn't need air conditioning, but might have a week earlier! Most things were open in Paris on the 8th - some stores opened late - after noon. Restuarants were open and all the big department stores were open. Some of small museums were closed (would check before planning on museums). Also, some of the buses didn't run. There are special buses for Sundays and holidays. We thought it was a great time to be there!

ira

HI G,

>Leave on May 11th to the good ole USA, but this is Pentecost so I wonder about transportation to the airport… Would this be OK?

Call your hotel and ask about arranging for a shuttle that day. I think that there will not be a problem.

>If we change this is seem we would have to move it up a week or back 2 weeks.<

If I were going to Europe in May, I would start on the 15th. In fact, we are.

hopingtotravel

The mention of Pentecost being May 11 made me wonder if Giverny would be open that day. When I looked on the website it just said open all days but Monday, so will hope that includes holidays.