We're planning a trip to France in early May 2014. We don't have a choice other than 'early May' because of our kid's school and other schedules. I see that in 2014 Labor Day/May Day will be on Thursday May 1, and WWII Victory Day will be on Thursday May 8 (both National Holidays). Looks like I will need to research the effects of these holidays on our trip and I can check websites for museum and other closures. In general, though, what will it be like on the holiday day and the Friday after? Crazy because everyone is on vacation, or quiet because people spend it at home with families, restaurants closed or everyone eating out? Are transportation schedules abbreviated or busy? Will that Friday after a Thursday holiday essentially be a holiday day as well?
P.S. Looking at Paris, Loire, Dordogne and Provence.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10207 posts
Most public buildings will be closed May 1st, as well as most stores. It's a very important holiday. More will be open on May 8th. Both weekends, people will be traveling from Wednesday to Sunday, taking an extended weekend. Yes, some people will be on a vacation in the regions you'll be visiting. Those aren't especially family holidays like Christmas, nor do people have a tradition of going out to eat on these holidays.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
There may be reduced bus (regional bus, not city bus) and train service on the holiday.
Posted by
Hood River, Oregon, USA
63 posts
This past May we trained from Avignon to Caen on Victory Day without much difficulty other than trying to find a car rental agency in Normandy that would be open. Fortunately we found one open near the train station in Caen and just got there with a minute to spare before they closed. We drove to Honfleur to stay over night and, as expected, encountered a lot of people as the next day was Ascension Day, another holiday.
Posted by
New Orleans
109 posts
Lia, If you're planning to rent a car, check that the rental agency will be open on the holiday(s). We were unable to rent a car on Ascension Thursday holiday because the agency was closed.
Posted by
Marseille
150 posts
Whatever you do do not rely on public transport on May 1st in France. It is the equivalent of Labor Day and is one of the days during which there is minimum to none service, depending on the type of service of course (there are still firemen on duty etc!). May 08 is a day off but more like a normal Sunday. I would advise not planning anything complicated (transport for example) on May the first. For restaurants you will probably find some open if you are in a medium/large enough town.