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Victory in Europe Day May 8th

Monday May 8th will be VE Day. Will all businesses, museums, attractions be closed in Paris?

I understand there is likely a parade down the Champs to the Arc. Does that mean heavy security in that area?

Posted by
687 posts

Some will be closed although not as much as on May 1st. You may have to check the specific website of any museum you want to visit regarding that date. I recall red, white and blue bouquets being placed around the city, on door knobs etc, to commemorate fallen soldiers.

Posted by
4088 posts

The big military parade is on July 14, called National Day (and in time past, Bastille Day.)

Posted by
10210 posts

There is a ceremony up at the Arc de Triomphe, so there are some closures on some of the roads accessing there in the morning. That stays pretty localized.

Banks, post offices, etc will be closed. Most anything that is usually open on a Monday will still be open (some restaurants close Sundays and Mondays anyway year round, and a few shops).

Other than the flags flying on the buses (and the bouquets as mentioned above), unless you are at the top end of the Champs-Elysées in the morning, you probably won't notice anything is going on.