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Need Help Planning Around Holidays in France

Posted by on

Hi all, hope someone or many can help. I am planning a trip in 2019 to France. I haven't nailed down the specific dates yet, that's my problem. I want to go late April/early May, maybe straddle the two months, for 2 weeks.

In that time my dates include April 21st which is Easter Sunday, May 1st (Wednesday) is Labour Day, and/or May 8th (Wednesday) is VE Day. Actually, if I picked my perfect scenario, I would be flying into London on Easter Sunday and being there for that day. My 1st day in France would be Easter Monday where I was planning on traveling to Paris on the Eurotrain from London, then another train up to Giverny, and then train up to LeHavre or Honfleur for the night.

Would I better off going the earlier April scenario (and enduring Easter and Labour Day) or the later route (where I would endure only Labour Day and VE Day). Basically which holidays will give me the least hassle with crowds, closures, any kind of hiccups due to the holidays.

Thanks!

Posted by
2466 posts

There will be crowds on Easter Sunday, because the school vacations are on.
May 1st will be mostly closed.
VE Day will not be noticed by most people. President Macron will place a wreath under the Arc de Triomphe.

I'd suggest you go to Le Havre, Honfleur and Giverny in that order.

I'd suggest you get a hotel, rather than an apartment, or an apart'hotel, such as Citadines.

Posted by
9601 posts

Many more things close on May 1 than on either of the other holidays. (You can consider it more equivalent to Christmas or New Year's Day -- for example the bookstore where I used to work was closed on those three holidays while remaining open, with reduced hours, on all the others). There will still be some things open, and public transport will still operate on all the holidays , just with less frequent service (like a Sunday normally).

As long as you are aware ahead of time and plan accordingly (as you are doing by investigating this far in advance), none of these holidays should cause you too much trouble.the game is already half won just because you are aware that they are holidays before you arrive!!

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