My spouse and I are starting the RS Heart of France tour on May 2. We arrive Wed Apr 30 and were planning activities for the days prior, and then discovered that May 1 is Labor Day and many sites are closed. I see the metro runs, and we can always walk. But what sites are open? Seine cruises running? What about restaurants? Would it be a good idea to get groceries and picnic?
Posted by
Land of La
9531 posts
Great idea.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2679 posts
Not only is May 1 a national holiday throughout France— May 8 is VE Day and another national holiday just a week later.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
779 posts
May 1 along with Christmas Day is the holiday with the most closures but it won’t be impossible to still enjoy the city. Various restaurants will be open in the more touristy zones and the Seine Cruises run. The Metro runs and buses run on a reduced schedule. The area around Place de la République may have worker protests/marches but it is north of the Marais area so you can easily avoid it.
Posted by
Chicago
8974 posts
Assume any particular thing you want to do is closed on May 1 unless you check and find that is not so. Museums for example usually close that day. Most Paris restaurants will be open, but I'd definitely make a reservations. Parks are open during the day (Paris parks close and are locked up at dusk). The Seine cruises function and the ET is open. Most stores will be closed but you will find bakeries open and greengrocers in. neighborhoods usually are open so you can get groceries.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15416 posts
The Jacquemart-Andre Museum is open every day including May 1 and Christmas. Their restaurant is also open (according to the website) and the last time I ate there (several years ago) it was delicious.
https://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en/prepare-your-visit/opening-times-and-access
Where is your hotel? That might help in giving you some specifics for the day.
I have been in Paris on May 1 and enjoyed walking around "my" hotel's neighborhood. There were lots of local booths set up on Rue Cler (local firemen selling bunches of Muguet/lilies of the valley) and other local group selling things. I don't recall a problem with food but if you spot a restaurant that looks promising on the day you arrive, I might pop in to see if they will be open or closed on May 1.
BTW, this tour is awesome, one of my absolute favorites!
Posted by
OP
New Hampshire
7 posts
Thanks, helpful advice. We are staying in Montparnasse area about 10-15 minute walk from Jardin de Luxembourg, so weather permitting, there is a great picnic location nearby. Not worried about VE day on May 8 as we'll be in middle of the tour in Brittany.
Posted by
Chicago
8974 posts
the other May holidays don't involve mass closures. Museums and such will be open as usual those days and shops generally don't close. May 1 is the big one that is disruptive. The main impact of the other May holidays is holiday traffic as many people do family trips at that time as offices are closed.
Posted by
Chicago
34 posts
Chris, thanks for asking, I was wondering about this too. To everyone else: Would a daytrip to Chartres be a good idea on May 1? The cathedral and the stained glass museum there are both open on May 1. Will train travel be heavily impacted/reduced due to local families traveling that day, or will it be okay?