Paris on May 1st?
 

I'm going to be in Paris on May 1st, which I'm well aware is a public holiday. So, all the museums will be shut. <BR><BR>Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do? I'm a history buff (main interests WW1 &amp; WW2) and I like Impressionist Art. I'll be travelling on my own, so there's only so much random wandering about the city I'll be able to do, without feeling really pathetic (these two weeks were supposed to be spent with my now ex-boyfriend in China. Perhaps a romantic city like Paris wasn't my best choice as an alternative destination!)<BR><BR>Any suggestions?

May 1 is a major holiday and a lot of places will be closed. You don't say how long you will be in Paris. If it's long enough, you'll have plenty of time and opportunities to pursue the interests you mentioned. <BR>For May 1, spend the just walking around--the parks, the avenues--enjoying one of the world's great cities for doing just that, namely, &quot;just walking around&quot;!

I'm only in Paris from the 29th April to the 2nd May - only 2 and a half days really by the time I get to/from my hotel and various train stations.

You could buy some bus tours via grayline.com or parisvision.com. They'll take to historical places as well.

Don't worry about being in Paris on a legal holiday. I have been in Paris on May 1 and on another trip in Provence. The trains are on holiday schedule, which won't have any effect on you, and museums and some stores and restaurants will be closed, but you will still find plenty to do. The people will be on holiday too, and so there will be plenty of street and park activity. If you are in or near the Bastille or the Marais, go to the Place des Voges, a wonderful little park/square, I'm not sure what to call it. Sit in the park (any park) and watch the toddlers in their wonderful little outfits, play on the swings and in the sand boxes. You won't starve and you won't be bored. Enjoy your solo trip, in the most beautiful city in the world. Take lots of film.

May 1 is a very volatile and often dangerous holiday in most large cities in Europe, due to leftist sentiments.<BR>It would be a VERY GOOD IDEA to lay low and stick to back streets, not the Champs Elysee or the Bastille area, due to demonstrations, etc. ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR...THE WAR AND ALL. We dealt with this last year in Florence, and it was not as raucous as the rest of Europe as we watched on CNN, but it was impossible to get into museums, and the anti-American sentiment kept us out of city squares. Remember....UNIVERSITY TOWNS=RIOT TOWNS. <BR>Bon Voyage and look forward to May 2 !!!

Deloris,<BR><BR>I'm not in the remotest bit worried about demonstrations and stuff. Firstly, because I have a fairly well developed sense of when to get away from large shouting crowds.<BR>Secondly, I'm not American, and even if I were, I wouldn't be worried about getting caught up in May 1st demos - the important thing to remember about these sort of demos is that they are directed at the GOVERNMENT of the country they are held in NOT random tourists.<BR>And thirdly, I think that your comment that &quot;university town = riot town&quot; is not only alarmist, but for the most part false. I have lived in many university towns, and the simple fact that there is a university somewhere does not make it a scene for riots.<BR><BR>I'm planning to have a wonderful May 1st in Paris!<BR><BR>-- Viola

It's utter nonsense to brand May 1st a violent holiday, especially in Paris! Totally untrue. <BR> <BR>Anyway, one suggestion for a fun day would be to get hold of a book like the Time Out Guide to Paris Walks, pick an interesting itinerary and head off around the little known-corners of Paris for a few hours. With an itinerary and a book telling you interesting tidbits of information about the buildings and history, you'll not feel too sad and lonely I'm sure! You're bound to pick up lots of interesting facts, especially if you stop and read the brown &quot;Histoire de Paris&quot; signposts dotted around the city (if you understand French, that is!). <BR><BR>Areas where you're likely to find places (shops, caf&eacute;s, restaurants) open include St Michel/Od&eacute;on (rue St Andr&eacute; des Arts/rue de Buci/Bvd St Michel), Pantheon - Rue Mouffetard in the 5th, Montmartre (rue des Abbesses, rue Lepic in the 18th), Bercy Village (m° cour St Emilion)...

&quot;You're bound to pick up lots of interesting facts, especially if you stop and read the brown &quot;Histoire de Paris&quot; signposts dotted around the city (if you understand French, that is!). &quot;<BR><BR>Thanks for the suggestion. My French is absolutely dire, but I reckon with a bit of effort, my dictionary, and some imagination I might be able to figure out some of the signs (and hey, even if I pick up the meaning totally wrong, it could end up being entertaining, right?!)<BR><BR>The idea of a self-guided walk is a good one too - thanks!

I will be in the Paris area on May 1st as well. Does anyone know if the palace at Versailles is closed on this day? I tried to look it up on the Internet, but I couldn't find any information about closing dates at Versailles. I thought that, if nothing in Paris is open, a day trip to Versailles might be a good option for May 1st.

If you are a history buff, then even walking around Paris at random will be fascinating. Most of the buildings in central Paris are quite old, and very well preseved. You will see wonderful architecture wherever you walk. <BR><BR>If you want to take a more organized approach, there are books that have guided walks, telling you exactly where to go. However, even without such a book, it is almost impossible to be on any street in central Paris that is lacking in historical or architectural interest.

nutney - I had the same idea (and thought I was being really clever!), but it appears that most of Versailles is closed on May 1st too. <BR><BR>If you check the website, (which I *think* is www.chateauversailles.com) there is a calendar that shows what is open when. There are some things open on May 1st, but I don't think the Grand Appartaments are.

oops! make that www.chateauversailles.fr

You're right, violagirl!<BR><BR>Well, back to square one. If you wanted to meet up in Paris on that day, I would wander around with you. I will be staying with friends who may know of something that we could do. You can e-mail me at [email protected].

Acorrding to their websites, these 2 museums (very lovely!) are open on May 1, or at least have no mention of being closed any holidays. I think it depends on who owns the museum (private or govt) as to whether it is closed.<BR>http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm<BR>http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/home_en.htm<BR>

Private museums seem to usually be closed more than public ones so I wouldn't count on any to be open on Labor Day, but you never know. The problem is that the few that may be open on holidays are crammed to the rafters because most are closed (I actually tried to go to the Louvre on Bastille Day once because it was open -- what a horrible experience).<BR><BR>I do seem to read every year about May 1st demonstrations in Paris and some problems, including riots and injuries. Last year there were, although that was definitely political because of French elections (against Le Pen) and other political issues such as immigration are often tied to May Day demonstrations. Of course, labor and workers' rights are a big political issue in general, but almost anything can be tired to politics and given world tensions at this time (in spite of the French position on the US/UK action), I wouldn't rule any time of protest out because it is such a visible day. There often seems to be violence on that day in London and Germany.<BR><BR>Anyway, I'd probably also just walk around and enjoy the city and activity. The prime tourist activities will probably be open, which would include the bateaux mouches and the Eiffel Tower (as it is private and open on holidays).

If you get an opportunity to go to the Musee- jacquemart-andre, I strongly suggest it. It is a beautiful museum that you could spend an hour or a day in. I checked their website and it doesn't say anything about being closed on holidays.

violagirl - I am also going to be in Paris on May 1st although I have to leave for the airport in the early afternoon. According to its website, the new exhibit of Gaughin and the Pont-Aven (not correct name) at the Musee de Luxembourg is open. Also Paris Walking tours have a couple of walks going. HTH,<BR>Mara<BR>ps I agree also about the Musee Jacquemart-Andre - it is wonderful there.

When in Paris buy a sprig of lily-of-the-valley. <BR><BR>For walking tours, the old Turn Right at the Fountain might still be appropriate. Old Paris has not changed that much.

OK Folks, Find out for yourselves,whoever you are... American, European, whatever, hit the Champs on May 1 and learn how to duck!<BR>Was there 2 years ago when France WON the football (soccer) matches, and bottles, etc. flew. Dozens were hospitalized and windows were broken.Remember, France WON...and if they LOST???<BR>Closely monitored May 1, on the other hand,IN PERSON in Italy last year. For amusement we hit CNN or BBC and enjoyed<BR>our secure hotel room in Florence as lines were miles long in front of every monument including the Duomo and demonstrations dominated main squares although most of the town was safe.<BR>Just giving all of you OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.<BR>Now, if nothing happens, give me hell!!! This year is really different. <BR>Bon Chance and Buon Fortuna!<BR>