We are looking at 5 or 6 days in Paris during the first week of May - before a 2 week trip to Italy. May 1st is a holiday (Labor Day )and many things are closed, but wondering if crowds can be an issue? If so, are there certain areas to avoid due to long waits, crowded places etc? Thank you!
Posted by
49 posts
Yes, Paris will be crowded in early May. Book online ahead of time for any major tourist sites.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2329 posts
Paris in May can get crowded, but it's a really good time to be there. the gardens will be in bloom, and early in the month you're still a bit ahead of the major rush.
Posted by
3067 posts
Paris is always crowded, except maybe in August. May 1st is a major holiday with just about everything but cafés/restaurants closed.
Posted by
The States
161 posts
On 5/1 of this year, I was in Toulouse. I was warned about everything being shut down, which was not true. There were plenty of cafés and restaurants that were open. I'm sure the same is true for Paris. Plan to do lots of outdoor activities on the holiday. We had a picnic in the park and walked along the river. A few churches were open, so we popped into these. The public spaces will be busy with locals enjoying the day off. In the morning, there was a march. (It wasn't a parade, and it wasn't a demonstration. "March" seems like the right term.) It was a bit loud but nothing concerning. I have heard that some of these marches can get out of hand, so it's good to be knowledgeable about them, especially in a city as large as Paris. May 8th is also a French holiday, but it affected hours/schedules less than May 1st.
Posted by
OP
69 posts
Thanks everyone for your great responses. We arrive late on May 1st for 5 days so it should be just fine! I do appreciate the feedback. Happy travels!
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1461 posts
Keep in mind that May 8th is also a holiday in Paris (WWII Victory Day in Europe).