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In Paris on Ascension Day holiday - What to do?

We are going to be in Paris for the week that includes the holiday of Ascension which is on a Thursday. We are trying to avoid the Louvre on the busiest days, so would it be better to visit the Louvre on a Monday, which is normally busy or on the Thursday, which is the holiday? We just don't know how many people travel for this holiday. Thanks.

Posted by
83 posts

I have never noticed that Ascension Day causes any disruptions at tourist attractions in Paris. I can't recall whether there is postal service and whether banks are open that day. I think so. The month of May is full of holidays, most of which have no impact on tourists.

Posted by
9462 posts

I can promise that the banks and post offices are closed on all federal holidays, of which Ascension is one. The tourism impact would be from tourists from other nearby countries (or from elsewhere in France) that have Ascension off who take advantage of a long weekend to come up to Paris.

(For the french, it's called "taking the bridge" - with a Thursday holiday, a lot of people will take Friday as well to have a longer weekend and so it's as if they make a bridge between the holiday and the weekend.)

Posted by
9 posts

I was aware that people would use it as a holiday weekend which is why I was questioning how busy the Louvre would be. Will the holiday cause so many more people to go to the Louvre on Thursday that we would be better to visit the Louvre on Monday, which is normally a busy day for the Louvre and one we were trying to avoid?

Posted by
83 posts

The month of May is chock full of holidays, and many people make bridges, creating 4-day weekends. Some small restaurants may be closed, and it can be difficult to find a plumber, for example. As a tourist, I don't believe it will affect you very much.
The only holiday in May that is likely to have much impact on tourists is May 1, which is a holiday here on par with Christmas and New Years.

Here is the word from the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau:
http://en.parisinfo.com/practical-paris/useful-info/holiday-periods-celebrations-public-holidays/french-public-holidays

Posted by
10344 posts

The link in the above post doesn't seem correct--it says Ascension Day is on May 20, which is a Wednesday.
I think Ascension Day is normally on a Thursday and this year is May 14.
I will be in France then, and for that reason am interested in which day it is this year.

Posted by
83 posts

Yes, I think it is always on a Thursday. I wonder if the Convention Bureau hasn't updated its info for 2015. It is a religious holiday, not really a "federal" one.

Posted by
9462 posts

sorry, I meant "federal" as in mandated by the (French) State -- of course "federal" isn't even a term that has relevance here.

It's definitely Thursday, May 14th this year.

Posted by
83 posts

Ok, I will try to clarify. Ascension Day is on Thrusday, May 14, 2015. It is a religious holiday. The only May holiday that is "major" in France is 1 May (Labor Day), when most services and museums are closed. Having lived in France for many years, I have never noticed that Ascension Day was a problem for me. Maybe there will be more visitors at the tourist attractions, but actually there are so many tourists in May at all times, I can't imagine that there will be a discernible difference on May 14.