We land in Paris on 30 April, and I just realized that our favorite market at Maubert-Mutualité may not take place because 1 May is such a big holiday. Does anyone know? Many thanks for the help.
I arrived on May 1 a couple of years ago and all shops including the grocery store on rue Cler closed up at least by 1:30; some may have closed earlier or not even opened up. I managed to get a few things for my apartment. I'm not familiar with your market.
I have not been in Paris on May 1, but have been in Nice. Everything, including museums, were closed, and the trains ran on limited service (evidently the workers were protesting that they had to work or something like that). There were demonstrations in certain parts of town, and I remember seeing on the news that Paris had a very large demonstration. We were never concerned for our safety, just avoided those areas where there were large public gatherings. I think I would check if some of the major sights outside of Paris are opened, such as Versaille or Giverny, and use the day in that regard.
What is this holiday? I have just bought my airfare to land in Paris at 1150 on 1 May! Oh no!
Last May Day in Paris many things were closed. I don't know about the markets since I didn't pass any.
I took 2 walking tours with Paris Walks St-Germain and Marais) and ended up at Place des Vosges where there was lots of activity and some very good buskers. One group sang opera and the other was a group of 13 violinists and cellists. They were wonderful. I have their CD as a souvenir.
It was a lovely, relaxing day with lots of people walking around holding small bouquets of Lily of the Valley.
I took 2 walking tours with Paris Walks St-Germain and Marais) and ended up at Place des Vosges where there was lots of activity and some very good buskers. One group sang opera and the other was a group of 13 violinists and cellists. They were wonderful. I have their CD as a souvenir.
It was a lovely, relaxing day with lots of people walking around holding small bouquets of Lily of the Valley.
I too was in Paris last May 1 and used that day for a self-guided walking tour. The Marais district was busy with an open air food market. Museums are closed but restaurants were open.
Great time to go through Jardin du Luxembourg and walk, walk walk. Or try a visit to Pere Lachaise cemetery where Jim Morrison and other infamous are buried.
There is plenty to do and see on May 1
Great time to go through Jardin du Luxembourg and walk, walk walk. Or try a visit to Pere Lachaise cemetery where Jim Morrison and other infamous are buried.
There is plenty to do and see on May 1
May 1 is not "sort of like our Labor Day". It is the official Internationl Labour Day in most of the world. Trains are on reduced schedules because it's a holiday, they do that on a lot of holidays, and all of the workers aren't at work. It's not because workers were protesting about working. Thank goodness a lot of the world does take workers' rights seriously, unlike in the US.
